* 
 
THE 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER, 
 
 OR 
 
 EXERCISES 
 
 FOR 
 
 ANNIVERSARIES AND CELEBRATIONS. 
 
 CONSISTING OF 
 
 ADDRESSES, DIALOGUES, RECITATIONS, BIBLE CLASS 
 LESSONS, HYMNS, ETC. 
 
 ADAPTED TO THE VARIOUS SUBJECTS TO WHICH 
 
 SARBATH SCHOOL EFFORTS ARE DIRECTED 
 
 BY J. KENNADAY, D. D. 
 
 FOURTEENTH EDITION. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 PERKINPINE & HIGGINS, 
 
 No. 56 NORTH FOURTH STREET. 
 1871. 
 
itered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, T>y 
 
 SORIN & BALL, 
 
 Ok the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States, 
 in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. . 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Preface, 7 
 
 Introductory Suggestions, . 9 
 
 PART I.— ADDRESSES BY BOYS. 
 
 Encouragement to Sabbath School labour, ...... 17 
 
 " " " » 21 
 
 ! ! ; ' 1 26 
 
 The advantages of the Sunday School 30 
 
 " " " « ; 34 
 
 The importance and utility of Sunday School instruction, . 38 
 
 PART II.— ADDRESSES BY GIRLS. 
 Sunday School labour in its benevolence, and prospective good, 45 
 
 Sabbath School instruction. — The beatitudes, 49 
 
 Sabbath School instruction. — The commandments, . . . 54 
 
 PART III.— DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 
 
 Religion, important to children, 59 
 
 Importance of religiously instructing the young, .... 65 
 
 The exposures and protection of the young, 71 
 
 The rise and advantages of Sunday Schools. — Raikes', . . 77 
 
 The Temperance Pledge, 82 
 
 PART IV. — DIALOGUES BY GIRLS. 
 
 Examples of Piety in youth, 89 
 
 Dancing, 95 
 
 Christ's love, in his birth and sufferings. — Christmas, . . .101 
 The Mountain of Prayer, (by two small boys and a large girl) 106 
 The Resurrection, ill 
 
 PART V.— RECITATIONS BY BOYS. 
 
 A voice from the towers of Zion, 117 
 
 New Year, 121 
 
 Christmas, 123 
 
 Centenary of Methodism, 124 
 
 God praised by his works, 126 
 
 Monody on the death of Rev. M. B. Cox, Missionary to Africa, 128 
 
 Farewell to the Missionaries, 131 
 
 Triumph of Temperance, 132 
 
 Contemplation on the works of God, 134 
 
 PART VI.— RECITATIONS BY SMALL BOYS. 
 
 Hope of Heaven, 139 
 
 The great Orator, 141 
 
 Little Samuel, . 142 
 
 The Little Traveller, 143 
 
6 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 PAET VII. — EE CITATIONS BY GIRLS. 
 
 Pag« 
 
 The Bible, 147 
 
 The Blind Girl, 149 
 
 The Lambs of Jesus, 151 
 
 The Child Jesus, 153 
 
 Flowers emblematic of Childhood, ......... 354 
 
 The Dead Bird, 155 
 
 The Butterfly, . 157 
 
 The Pet Rabbit, ] 159 
 
 What I love, . . ! 160 
 
 PART VHL— BIBLE CLASS LESSONS. 
 
 Joseph revealed to his brethren. Gen. xlv., . . . . . .165 
 
 The Preservation of Moses. Ex. ii. 1 — 10, . . . . . . 171 
 
 Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom. 1 Kings, iii. 1 — 25, . . .176 
 
 PART IX. 
 
 HYMNS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARIES. 
 
 HYMNS FOR CHRISTMAS. 
 
 Shall Bethlehem forget her night, 187 
 
 What though no harp of golden string, 188 
 
 Ye angels of heaven, the high born of glory, . . . . . .188 
 
 Let us sing to the Lord, Lo ! from yonder bright throne, . . 189 
 
 HYMNS FOR NEW YEAR. 
 
 We bow before thy throne, 190 
 
 Children come, with joy abounding, 191 
 
 Come sing, 'tis a festal hour, 192 
 
 HYMNS ADAPTED TO VARIOUS OCCASIONS. 
 
 Children, can you tell us why, 193 
 
 Rise — rise — free from thy mourning, 193 
 
 0 ! see on high, along the sky, 194 
 
 Nature with ten thousand smiles, 195 
 
 Lovely and gay, in Eden's day, 196 
 
 What though the pure Christian on earth ever tre&ds, . .197 
 When childhood's blissful hours have fled, . . ... 197 
 
 HYMNS FOR INFANT CLASSES. 
 
 Come join the Infant School with me, . . . . t . . - 198 
 
 Hark ! how the angels sing, 199 
 
 Come to the Infant Schsol, 200 
 
 Let others sing of gladness, 201 
 
 The joys that I have known of earth, . 202 
 
 Hearts may delight in error's way, 202 
 
 •Tis sweet, in hours of childhood, ......... 203 
 
 0 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Before entering upon the more extensive 
 duties of the ministry, the author of this volume 
 was employed for some time as a Sunday school 
 teacher, in the city of New York. For more than 
 twenty-five years he has been endeavouring, in 
 various places, to co-operate with the friends of 
 this institution in directing efforts to the follow- 
 ing important objects : 
 
 1. The increase and punctuality in attendance, 
 and the promotion of the piety of the< school ; 
 
 2. The securing the confidence and support of 
 the Church and community ; 
 
 3. The acquisition of funds requisite for the 
 efficient conduct of the school. 
 
 These objects have been promoted by anniver- 
 sary meetings, at which efficient speakers have 
 been employed, and by sermons preached some- 
 times to the children particularly, and at other 
 times to the congregation in general. Such 
 
 7 
 
8 PKEFACE. 
 
 efforts have been marked with such success that 
 it is not desirable entirely to relinquish them. 
 But no means have ever been found so perfectly 
 adapted to promote the above objects as an An- 
 niversary celebration. On such occasions the 
 church is usually crowded, and I have never 
 known an instance in which such a celebration 
 has not succeeded in procuring for the school all 
 the financial help it required. 
 
 In Philadelphia, New York, Brooklyn, New- 
 burgh, Wilmington, and various other places 
 where I have held such celebrations, I have 
 deemed them of great influence in promoting the 
 revival of religion, while nothing tends so fully 
 to develope to a congregation the true importance 
 of the Sunday school. 
 
 In the origin of these celebrations, having 
 taken part in preparing the exercises, and in 
 their progress, having contributed to them in 
 various parts of the United States, this volume 
 is arranged in conformity to the wishes very 
 extensively expressed, of those whose interests 
 in behalf of children are too well known to me 
 to allow of my not complying with their request. 
 
r. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY SUGGESTIONS. 
 
 \ 
 
 » 
 
 \ 
 
 t THE CHARACTER OF THE EXERCISES. 
 
 As the leading design of Sunday school 
 instruction is entirely different from "that of 
 ordinary literary schools, being religious in its 
 character, the exercises of a celebration should 
 have a decided religious tendency. Every thing 
 introduced on these occasions should not only 
 be school-like, but Sunday school-like. Though 
 it may be advisable sparingly to introduce some- 
 thing that may dispel tediousness, and which 
 may serve to animate, interest, and even excite 
 the children, due care must be observed to cul- 
 tivate in the minds of the children, a reverence 
 for the place, while nothing must occur to offend 
 the piety of the spiritually minded. These con- 
 siderations have been appreciated in the exer- 
 cises here arranged. 
 
 9 
 
10 INTRODUCTORY SUGGESTIONS 
 
 II, THE TIME AT WHICH THE CELEBRATION 
 SHOULD BE HELD. 
 
 Any of the great public festivals are most 
 appropriate, viz : Christmas. New- Year, Easter, 
 the Fourth of July, &c. Christmas being the 
 most replete with incidents pleasant to child- 
 hood, is, perhaps, the most suitable. It is an 
 occasion on which they may profitably study the 
 history of the "Holy Child Jesus," and awake 
 anew the songs of angels. Christmas is the 
 jubilee of childhood, and I would much rejoice 
 to see it appropriated especially to the improve- 
 ment of children, as one grand general day of 
 Sunday school celebrations. Where this day 
 cannot be selected, New-Year's day is next in 
 adaptation. In many instances night will be 
 found the most suitable and convenient. Exer- 
 cises adapted specially to one occasion, are no 
 less important on any festival. The Saviour's 
 birth and resurrection are always of moment, 
 and topics for any occasion. 
 
 « 
 
 III. THE AMOUNT OF EXERCISES. 
 
 Those who take part in the exercises will, 
 some of them, be small children, as well aa 
 many who attend as spectators. The school 
 will occupy the body and centre of the church, 
 
INTRODUCTORY SUGGESTIONS. 1] 
 
 so that the small children will not share the 
 immediate care of their parents. These cir- 
 cumstances, particularly when the celebration 
 is held at night, render it necessary that the 
 exercises should not be too extended. One hour 
 and a half is generally sufficient, as the scholars 
 usually assemble nearly an hour sooner than the 
 congregation, thus confining the children nearly 
 two hours and a half. It is true, the people 
 will • retire with a strong desire to have been 
 kept much longer, but it is much better to close 
 with a good spirit than to surfeit the people and 
 fatigue the children. 
 
 These exercises require that the children be 
 well taught and practised. It is better to have 
 little well done, than to have much poorly done. 
 As a suggestion a programme is here appended, 
 giving the variety of exercises and the probable 
 amount of minutes each will require. The con- 
 gregation being large, and assembling early, it 
 will serve to compose them and tend to interest 
 them, to have the first hymn selected from the 
 hymn book, read by the pastor, and sung by the 
 whole congregation. "From all that dwell below 
 the skies," is a good hymn, and glorious " Old 
 "Hundred," a good tune. I admire « Old Hun- 
 dred' ' on such an occasion, because, apart from 
 its own excellence, it was composed by the great 
 reformer, Martin Luther. 
 
12 INTRODUCTORY SUGGESTIONS. 
 
 Programme. 
 
 1. 
 
 Singing by Congregation, 
 
 6 minutea 
 
 2. 
 
 Prayer, . . 
 
 5 
 
 C6 
 
 8. 
 
 Singing by Children, . 
 
 5 
 
 U 
 
 4. 
 
 Address by a large Boy, 
 
 8 
 
 u 
 
 5. 
 
 Recitation by a lesser Girl, . 
 
 5 
 
 u 
 
 6. 
 
 Do. do. Boy, . 
 
 5 
 
 u 
 
 7. 
 
 Bible Class examined, . 
 
 10 
 
 u 
 
 8. 
 
 Singing by Children, . 
 
 5 
 
 u 
 
 9. 
 
 Dialogue by large Boys, 
 
 10 
 
 « 
 
 10. 
 
 Recitation by a very small Boy, 
 
 4 
 
 a 
 
 11. 
 
 Do. do. Girl, 
 
 4 
 
 a 
 
 12. 
 
 Singing by Infant Class, 
 
 6 
 
 a 
 
 13. 
 
 Dialogue by large Girls, 
 
 8 
 
 a 
 
 14. 
 
 Address by a large Girl, 
 
 8 
 
 a 
 
 15. 
 
 Singing by Children, . 
 
 5 
 
 a 
 
 16. 
 
 Collection, .... 
 
 5 
 
 u 
 
 17. 
 
 Singing by Children, . 
 
 5 
 
 u 
 
 18. 
 
 Benediction. 
 
 
 
 104 « 
 
 IV. THE SELECTION OF SPEAKERS. 
 
 It is not advisable to select children that are 
 very large. Care must be taken in selecting 
 the children to study the character of the mat* 
 ter, as the speakers should be adapted in years 
 to the subject they present. In a dialogue, 
 
INTRODUCTORY SUGGESTIONS. 
 
 13 
 
 where one speaker is giving instruction to 
 another, the instructor must be the oldest and 
 largest. 
 
 In some instances the most ready to speak 
 
 are not the most suitable. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 Too many children should not be selected 
 from the same family, nor should the same 
 children be too frequently chosen, as it is desir- 
 able to distribute these little honours 
 
 0 
 
 In all cases care must be observed not to ex- 
 cite the vanity of the children, by impressing 
 them with any opinion of their talents. It would 
 detract from the benefits of these celebrations 
 if, in individual instances, they were injurious. 
 As tending to excite vanity, I have always 
 doubted the propriety of publishing the names 
 of the speakers in programmes. 
 
 V. PREPARATORY PRACTICE. 
 
 The success of a celebration depends very 
 much upon the attention bestowed upon the 
 children privately. Much will be found awk- 
 ward and imperfect in the children, and it will 
 require great patience and effort to get them to 
 understand what they are speaking, and pro- 
 perly to execute their work. 
 
 1. They should be heard without reference to 
 
14 
 
 INTRODUCTORY SUGGESTIONS. 
 
 gesture, until they are found fully to have com 
 mitted the matter assigned to them. 
 
 2. Emphasis, gesture, and every thing relat- 
 ing to style, should be taught them next. 
 
 3. A proper elevation of voice is of great 
 moment. Whole dialogues are sometimes spoken 
 which cannot be heard three seats from the plat- 
 form. The person engaged in training the 
 children should, at particular times, take his 
 position at the extremity of the church or lec- 
 ture room, and in a loud voice tell the children 
 to speak so that he can hear them. The chil- 
 dren will soon perceive the design, and by the 
 perseverance of the instructor will overcome all 
 difficulties. Every effort made in private will 
 be fully repaid in the public execution. 
 
 On the Sabbath prior to the celebration, it is 
 well to go through w T ith all the exercises before 
 the school. 
 
 VI. TO THE YOUTHFUL SPEAKER. 
 
 1. When you are practising speak as though 
 you were in the church and on the platform, as 
 all your exercising in private is with a view to 
 your effort there. 
 
 2. The little girls, upon coming upon the plat- 
 form, or retiring, must make a gentle courtesy, 
 
 1 
 
INTRODUCTORY SUGGESTIONS 
 
 IS 
 
 which the ladies will see, by previous attention, 
 they are prepared to do. The boy must bou\ 
 upon coming forward or retiring. In doing this 
 be careful to let your hands hang down with 
 ease. Neither raise your arm nor suffer it to 
 be stiffened. When you reach your place upon 
 the platform, (toward one end if in a dialogue, 
 and near the centre if an address,) bring your 
 right heel to the centre of your left foot, make 
 a gentle and slow inclination of your head, 
 gently bending your body at the same time — 
 then gently lift your head, being careful all the 
 time to keep your arms hanging with ease. This 
 bow is modest and sufficient. 
 
 3. When on the platform do not smile at any 
 child whose eye you may perceive. Begin to 
 speak as though you were addressing the person 
 by the clock or nearest the door. If he hears 
 you, all the rest will. Remember you are on 
 the platform ; the school is immediately before 
 you ; the superintendent immediately in front 
 of the platform ; the pastor in the pulpit behind 
 you ; and your parents and friends in the gal- 
 lery. When you speak of either of these, turn 
 your eyes toward them. When speaking of 
 God, heaven, Jesus, angels, &c, turn your eyes 
 slightly upward ; when speaking of earth, grave, 
 &c, let your eyes glance downward. 
 
 4. When action is called for, and you lift 
 
16 INTRODUCTORY SUGGESTIONS. 
 
 your hands, let them be raised a little if you 
 speak of the school — toward the gallery, if you 
 speak of your parents or the public. But these 
 are matters which must be left to the good taste 
 of those who personally instruct you. Try, 
 constantly try, to speak loud, clear, and slow. 
 
 " Learn to speak slow, all other graces, 
 Will follow in their proper places." 
 
PART I. 
 
 ADDRESSES BY BOYS. 
 
 — * — , 
 
 ADDRESS BY A BOY. 
 
 # 
 
 ENCOURAGEMENT TO SABBATH SCHOOL LABOUR. 
 
 Respected Audience — 
 
 I come before you with my youthful heart 
 burdened with thoughts upon a subject of the 
 greatest moment. Before I give utterance to 
 those thoughts, permit me to express the glad- 
 ness I feel in the presence of our parents, 
 teachers, and friends. 
 
 To meet in obedience to the call of our Sab- 
 bath school guardians, is at all times gratifying 
 to our feelings; but to come together upon 
 occasions like the present is truly rejoicing. 
 The tribes of Israel were accustomed to wor- 
 ship, every tribe under its own banner, save 
 on those occasions when it was usual for them 
 upon some great festival to unite in one general 
 assembly ; so we, during the past year, have 
 been necessarily restricted to our own respec- 
 tive schools : yet now, with a gladness that can- 
 
 2* 17 
 
18 
 
 ADDRESS BY A BOY 
 
 not be expressed, we view those middle walls of 
 partition removed for a while, and we meet to- 
 gether in one common throng in this the " taber- 
 nacle of the congregation." It is a solemn yet 
 pleasing indication to the heart of every pious 
 child, of the happiness of that day when " they 
 shall come from the north and from the south, 
 and from the east and from the west, and shall sit 
 down in the kingdom of their heavenly Father.' 9 
 
 It is not my intention, even should such a 
 task be considered appropriate in one of my 
 humble years, to present any arguments in sup- 
 port of an institution upon which, in so clear a 
 manner, the glory of the Lord has rested. 
 
 Should I attempt to enumerate the advan- 
 tages of the Sabbath school, my youthful heart 
 would tremble under their weight, and lost in 
 the contemplation of their greatness, I would 
 have to exclaim with the psalmist, " they are 
 more than can be told." 
 
 The work of argument I shall leave for older 
 and for abler hands. But to you, our superin- 
 tendents and teachers, I must be permitted to 
 address a few words of encouragement. 
 
 However numerous and free may be the gifts 
 of a beneficent Providence, it is a feature in 
 the Divine government to connect labour and 
 reward. He, therefore, who would share in the 
 reward, must first be a partaker of the toil. Th© 
 
ENCOURAGEMENT TO LABOUR. 19 
 
 Lord hath said, " he that soweth little shall reap 
 little, and he that soweth plenteously shaH. reap 
 plenteously." Be not discouraged, dear teachers, 
 though some of us appear at present to reject 
 the instruction you impart with so much fidelity 
 and affection. If the prophet was constrained 
 to lament the hardness of the human heart, and 
 to exclaim "who hath believed our report ?" — 
 yea,-if seed, distributed by the unerring hand of 
 the Son of Grod, sometimes fall by the way side, 
 *>r among thorns, or even upon stony ground, 
 shall ye be " weary and faint in your mind ?" 
 
 The Sabbath school is the church's nursery ; 
 and in the nursery how much of patient labour 
 must b£ expended. Every little plant must be 
 watched, and the dresser of the vineyard, with 
 the eye and hand of vigilance, must adopt those 
 measures which will give health to the root and 
 vigour to the branches. Let your labours, then, 
 dear teachers, be unremitted in support of the 
 Sunday school cause: a cause with which is 
 blended, to an extent which cannot be reached 
 even by the eye of an angel, the happiness, now 
 and for ever, of these children, the children of our 
 country — and the children of our whole earth. 
 
 Should you, at any moment, suffer your hearts 
 to despond, let the exposures of our childhood 
 impel you to our rescue. Sin, like the avengei 
 of blood pursuing the manslayer, is pressing 
 
20 
 
 ADDRESS BY A BOY. 
 
 upon us with every step of our being ; but, under 
 God, the Sabbath school points us to our city 
 of refuge. Iniquity, like a mighty flood, is 
 sweeping over our land ; but the Sabbath school 
 is our holy ark, whose walls are salvation and 
 whose gates are praise. Already have your 
 labours been crowned with much success. In 
 every department of virtuous life are to be 
 found men and women, who once were children 
 at the Sabbath school, while the society of the 
 redeemed on high is receiving its accessions 
 from among those children who, through the 
 instrumentality of this institution, were brought 
 to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ, 
 for children often die, even the children of the 
 Sabbath school. There are many such in hea- 
 ven ; some, perhaps, gathered there through the 
 sanctified efforts of some who are here to-day. 
 If, at any period, your hearts should falter 
 through any discouragement, let the prospect 
 of reward re-animate your hope, and may your 
 toils be cheered by the vision of that rest which 
 "remains for the people of God." 
 
 " 'Tis there with the lambs of thy flo Jk, 
 
 There only I covet to rest ; 
 To lie at the foot of the rock, 
 
 Or rise to be hid in thy breast ; 
 'Tis there I would always abide, 
 
 And never a moment depart ; 
 Conceal'd in the cleft of thy side, 
 
 Ete-rually held in thy heart." 
 
ADDRESS BY A BOY. 
 
 ENCOURAGEMENT TO LABOUR. 
 
 Respected Audience- — 
 
 # 
 
 However inappropriate it may be, upon ordi- 
 nary occasions, for one of my youth, to address 
 an assembly of such character as the one before 
 me, yet, I trust, the great object for which we 
 are convened, will sufficiently justify my effort 
 in appealing to you in behalf of the Sabbath 
 school. 
 
 Children are the objects of mucn temptation, 
 and consequently claim the solicitude of the 
 more advanced in years. Being the special 
 objects of Divine favour, and being the recipi- 
 ents of Sabbath school instruction, they should 
 be privileged occasionally to break their silence, 
 in rendering thanks to those who labour for 
 them, and in expressing their admiration of this 
 holy institution. 
 
 The principal object for which I appear at 
 present, is to urge to unabated efforts, those 
 upon whom rests the responsibility of sustaining 
 this important cause. 
 
 21 
 
22 
 
 ADDRESS BY A BOY 
 
 In this department of religious labour, par* 
 ticular attention is given to the inculcation of 
 sentiments leading to an early attachment to 
 the Bible. Childhood, to which the grave is 
 always dark and repulsive, is taught in the Bible 
 to look upon the " life that now is," as the vesti- 
 bule of " that which is to come ;" and instead of 
 fixing a desponding eye upon the "valley of 
 the shadow of death," here the vision of youth 
 is cheered by the light of the Bible, and en- 
 couraged to look on high to the scenes of 
 « immortality and eternal life." 
 
 " Here light descending from above, 
 Directs our doubtful feet, 
 Here promises of heavenly love, 
 Our ardent wishes meet. 
 
 « Our numerous griefs are here redrest, 
 And all our wants supplied ; 
 Naught we can ask to make us blest, 
 Is in this book denied." 
 
 Could I do no more upon this occasion to 
 encourage those who are engaged in this field 
 of labour, I would stretch out my hands to you, 
 our superintendents, teachers, and friends, in 
 behalf of these children, and urge you, as you 
 have taken us upon your arms, never to lay us 
 down, until we reach that period of life in which 
 the vigour of our youth, strengthened by your 
 moral training, shall prepare us for the, resist- 
 
ENCOURAGEMENT TO LABOUR. 25 
 
 ance of temptation and the discharge of those 
 duties which will then devolve upon us. 
 
 You are now bearing "the burden and heat 
 of the day." Though you may sometimes be 
 almost discouraged from our childish perverse- 
 ness, yet I am persuaded your "labour shall 
 not be in vain," for as we ripen in years, what- 
 ever "childish things" we shall leave off, our 
 remembrance of you will strengthen with time, 
 as the fruit of your planting shall ripen and 
 appear. 
 
 Although some of us may now appear insen- 
 sible to your kindness, yet I believe I speak 
 what all our hearts will one day feel, that such 
 of us as shall attain to manhood, could we, after 
 years of separation, mingle with you in a scene 
 like this, we would gather around you as chil- 
 dren around a long absent father, and cling 
 to you in all the devotedness of our earliest 
 love. 
 
 But gratifying as this might be, I know that 
 there is a reward to which you look, of higher 
 and eternal value — the approbation of your Grod. 
 Of this, we trust your own hearts have already 
 the assurance, and will share its full commmma* 
 tion in the day of our Lord's appearing 
 
 * O that with yonder sacred throng, 
 We at his feet may fall ; 
 We'll join the everlasting song, 
 And crown him Lord of all." 
 
24 
 
 ADDRESS BY A BOY. 
 
 A few words to our parents, and I will return 
 to my silence and to my seat. I beseech you 
 to sustain, by every means in your power, an 
 institution which bears so many lambs in its 
 bosom, and to become co-workers with those 
 who are engaged in this work of mercy. 
 
 We make this appeal to you, our parents, 
 because of your anxiety for the good of your 
 children, and I only speak in behalf of every 
 dutiful child here, when I say, 
 
 " My father — my mother — I know, 
 
 I cannot your goodness repay ; 
 But I hope that as older I grow, 
 
 I shall learn your commands to obey. 
 You lov'd me before I could tell 
 
 Who it was that so tenderly smil'd, 
 And now, that I know it so well, 
 
 I should be a dutiful child." 
 
 In this work, so much depends upon our 
 mothers, that to them I must more particularly 
 and most affectionately speak. Our mothers ! 
 Ye instruments of the most exalted good ! 
 Who, who can estimate- tha excellencies of your 
 character, when your delight is to train your 
 children in the fear of God. How many who 
 now near me, feel, amid their riper years, that 
 they owe most of the virtues that adorn them 
 to the instrumentality of a mother, or may, at 
 this moment, recur to some saint now in heaven, 
 who lived to labour for their happiness, with th« 
 Warmest fervour of a mother's love. 
 
ENCOURAGEMENT TO LABOUR, 25 
 
 Usually limited by her disposition, as well as 
 duties, to the scenes of her own house, the 
 devoted mother renders her home the place of 
 instruction, where, in confiding simplicity, the 
 child inhales from its mother's lips the holy 
 truths of the Son of God. Often does the coun- 
 tenance of the fond mother glow with delight, 
 while' her eye turns occasionally to heaven, as 
 her soul breathes the fervent prayer for heaven's 
 blessing upon her work. Yes, mothers, it was 
 never intended that the Sabbath school should 
 render your labours unnecessary, any more than 
 it was designed to render unnecessary the la 
 bours of the sanctuary. The design is, as we 
 trust results will continue to develope, that, 
 under God, good seed will continue to be scat- 
 tered through the agency of the Sunday school, 
 which, watered at home, shall spring up in child- 
 hood, bear its fruit in the sanctuary, and be 
 ^gathered finally into the everlasting garner of 
 God. 
 
ADDRESS BY A BOY. 
 
 / 
 
 ENCOURAGEMENT TO SABBATH SCHOOL LABOUR. 
 
 Respected Audience — 
 
 The unusual appearance of one of my years 
 before an assembly, may be thought by some to 
 require an explanation. I trust, however, it 
 will be deemed a sufficient apology, and that I 
 shall have your forbearance, when I inform you 
 that I come into your presence, the humble advo- 
 cate of a cause of the utmost importance to the 
 youth of the present and future generations. 
 
 If the Redeemer, whose ways are infinitely 
 wise, when he called a child and stood him in 
 the midst of the disciples, could render one so 
 young instrumental in conveying instruction to 
 minds so well informed, I cannot refrain from 
 hoping that he will now permit a youth to have 
 some instrumentality in presenting the claims 
 of a cause so closely blended with the cause of 
 Christ as is the Sabbath school. 
 
 I am the more ready, however feeble, to 
 enter upon this duty, because I am surrounded 
 by those who are already the friends of our 
 school. I do not come in the character of little 
 26 
 
ENCOURAGEMENT TO LABOUR. 27 
 
 David, the shepherd-son of Jesse, to contend 
 with a mighty and defying Groliah. No ! the 
 battle is already fought- — the victory is the 
 Lord's ; and the advantages of the Sabbath 
 school are so very apparent to all, that not only 
 those who give the subject a full investigation, 
 but even the way-faring man need not err in 
 opinion respecting it. My object, therefore, is 
 not to remove your prejudices, for I trust you 
 have none. My work is the more delightful one 
 of uniting with you in your rejoicing over the 
 past, and encouraging you in your labours for 
 the future. 
 
 As it was said by an inspired apostle, when 
 referring to the numerous and faithful converts 
 to Christianity, ye are our " living epistles, 
 known and read of all men," so may the Sab- 
 bath school say of its numerous sons and daugh- 
 ters, now filling, in mature life, the most worthy 
 and important stations. How many a Timothy, 
 when but a child, was here taught the Holy 
 Scriptures, which are able to make « wise unto 
 salvation, which is by faith in Jesus Christ 
 so that he now stands among the pillars in the 
 house of Grod, or is numbered among the golden 
 candlesticks of the altar. Others, who once 
 were numbered among the lambs of our fold, 
 have fallen asleep in Jesus, and have gone to 
 be among the first fruits of that « great multi- 
 
28 
 
 ADDRESS BY A BOY. 
 
 tilde, which no man can number," many of 
 whom, through the instrumentality of the Sab- 
 bath school, have been gathered to a home in 
 heaven 
 
 " Death may the bands of life unloose, 
 But can't dissolve his love ; 
 Millions of infant souls compose 
 The family above." 
 
 As God is ever well pleased to employ and 
 honour human instrumentality, the future suc- 
 cess of this cause must greatly depend upon our 
 ministers, superintendents, and teachers, as well 
 as the co-operation of our friends generally. 
 Though there are some who ought to be engaged 
 in this work, who are standing « all the day 
 idle," yet many of you entered in at an early 
 day, and have faithfully continued. It is, how- 
 ever, one of the unfortunate tendencies of our 
 nature, to become " weary in well doing." Even 
 those disciples who saw the Lord's glory felt the 
 flesh to be weak, insomuch that they needed his 
 care to stir them up to watchfulness through a 
 single hour. Be not disheartened then, though 
 there be some whose hands occasionally hang 
 down, whose knees tremble, and who almost 
 "faint by the way." What, dear teachers, 
 though some of us, your scholars, appear but 
 little benefited by your efforts, " whatsoever you 
 do, do as unto the Lord," and it shall be repaid 
 
ENCOURAGEMENT TO LABOUR. 29 
 
 you abundantly. The work in which you are 
 engaged will contribute to your own steadfast- 
 ness in religion, and enlarge and enrich your 
 minds in the grace and knowledge of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. Before I conclude, let me entreat 
 you, our parents and friends, to sustain by your 
 prayers, and to support by your liberality, an 
 institution, the successful operations of which 
 will form the present character, and control, to 
 a great extent, the eternal happiness of these 
 children. Act as God requires — as your con- 
 science dictates — and as circumstances may 
 allow. Then shall these children rise up and 
 call you blessed, in this life, and blend with you 
 in your rejoicings when your spirits shall unite 
 with those « made perfect in heaven." 
 
 " There all the ship's company meet, 
 
 Who sail'd with the Saviour beneath, 
 With shouting each other they greet, 
 
 And triumph o'er sorrow and death. 
 The voyage of life's at an end, 
 
 The mortal affliction is past, 
 The age that in heaven we spend, 
 
 For ever and ever shall last." 
 
 3* 
 
ADDRESS BY A BOY 
 
 THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 
 
 Respected Audience — 
 
 The recurrence of our Sabbath school cele- 
 bration, places upon me the responsibility of 
 addressing you. This is a duty, I am well aware, 
 which might be assigned to older and to abler 
 hands than mine, and in the discharge of which 
 might be employed, the pen of the most ready 
 writer, and the tongue of the most eloquent 
 pleader, as the Sabbath school is a cause over 
 which angels rejoice, and which God has sealed 
 with an approbation so decided, that no time 
 can obliterate its traces from the globe. Mil- 
 lions of the children of our world are this day 
 reposing under this vine and fig-tree, none dar- 
 ing to molest them or make them afraid. Of 
 the tens of thousands of the happy Sunday 
 school children of our own Columbia, we this 
 day gather under this vine, and come with you 
 in this season of vintage to pluck and eat its 
 fruit of righteousness. Sitting with you in this 
 heavenly place, we are each constrained to ex- 
 30 
 
ADDRESSES BY BOYS, 31 
 
 claim, he brought me " to his banqueting house, 
 and his banner over me was love." 
 
 "All thy children shall be taught of the 
 Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy chil- 
 dren," is a prophetic sentiment, and replete with 
 the indications of Divine mercy to childhood. 
 As it is our privilege to enjoy the realization of 
 this glorious promise, it should be our happiness 
 to utter the expressions of our most fervent 
 gratitude. 
 
 I should, I am sensible, prove unfaithful to 
 my duty, and act unworthily as the representa- 
 tive of these children, should I allow this occa- 
 sion to pass without encouraging, in some humble 
 degree, those who in this arduous work render 
 us the objects of their prayerful toil. There 
 are times, no doubt, when the instability of 
 childhood renders apparent the difficulties 'of 
 your work. It is not, however, upon the pre- 
 sent, merely, that you are to look. To the 
 future walks of honourable life you must extend 
 your thoughts, where these children will appear 
 to impart in a virtuous and useful example, the 
 benefit derived from your counsel and your care. 
 Nor must your view be limited by the horizon 
 of the present life ; for when our days are spent 
 " as the days of an hireling," and we with you 
 shall be released from time and its toils, there 
 is a " reward for the righteous," which shall be 
 
32 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER 
 
 abundantly ministered unto all who do well. 
 Nor is our journeying to that rest, through 
 paths of roughness begirt with reeds and rushes, 
 and rendered frightful by the roar and the 
 bound of the lion. 0 no ! the highway of our 
 God has been opened, and stretching the eye 
 over its unbroken length, we see in its distant 
 vista, the promise of that "fulness of joy," 
 which is found at the end of " the path of life." 
 
 0 think, dear teachers, of the high and last- 
 ing consolation which it will afford you, if God 
 should make you the instrument of salvation to 
 but one child ! What must be the happiness of 
 that teacher, when the Lord shall call him to 
 his reward. Look for a moment at that pure 
 spirit, which though absent from the body, has 
 gone to be present with the Lord. When the 
 soul reaches the suburbs of that city which hath 
 foundations, and just as the land of pure delight 
 rises to his view, he is approached by a band of 
 angels. Their raiment is pure white, and their 
 faces beam with an indescribable loveliness. 
 One smaller than the rest advances from the 
 little group, and accosts the stranger-spirit, and 
 with all the fervour and familiarity of a well- 
 known friend, the angel salutes him by his 
 name. "Who art thou," says the spirit, "and 
 how is it that I am known to thee?" "Dost 
 thou not know me?" says the angel. "I am 
 
ADDRESSES BY BOYS. 
 
 33 
 
 little Henry — the widow's son — a child of your 
 class — to whom you used to speak of Jesus. I 
 prayed to him and found him — and though the 
 Lord took me from the evil to come, he brought 
 me to this happy and holy abode. Come ! I will 
 show you the gate ; I will lead thee to the 
 throne ; and it shall give me joy m heaven, now 
 that you have failed from the earth, to welcome 
 you into everlasting habitations.' ' 
 
 In conclusion, let me urge upon all, the im- 
 portance of unremitted diligence, in promoting 
 in every possible manner the prosperity of this 
 cause. 
 
 " Fight on, ye conquering souls, fight on, 
 And when the conquest you have won, 
 Then palms of victory you shall bear, 
 And in his kingdom have a share, 
 And crowns of glory ever wear, 
 In endless day." 
 
ADDRESS BY A BOY. 
 
 Respected Audience — 
 
 Ix coming before this assembly, at the request 
 of the officers of my school, I trust that I shall 
 not be considered as disregarding the feelings 
 of delicacy, which should ever distinguish the 
 young. Diffidence, at other times lovely and 
 commendable, becomes a fault when permitted 
 to restrain us from duty. 
 
 Had the youthful David been influenced more 
 by diffidence than by a conviction of duty, he 
 would have preferred the bleating of the sheep- 
 fold to the shouts of the soldiery, and would 
 have loved the tones of his own harp, more than 
 the herald sounds of the trump of war. Never 
 would he have exposed himself to the censure 
 of his brethren — the eagle eye of Saul — and 
 the giant arm of Goliah. But under a sense 
 of duty, and with an undismayed heart, he pur- 
 sued that course which in its results, proclaims, 
 even to childhood, that God often chooses things 
 that are weak to abase and subdue the mighty. 
 
 As the representative of my school, it is my 
 duty to render you my thanks, and the thanks 
 of these numerous hearts, that you have thus 
 34 
 
ADDRESSES BY BOYS. 35 
 
 far laboured for us in love. Through your 
 efforts we have received instruction, the value of 
 which can never be told, and which, we trust, will 
 deepen its impression upon our minds when we 
 shall be separated from your presence, and shall 
 have left the school, to mingle in the scenes and 
 duties of useful life. Long after the lips which 
 so often have instructed us shall be silent, and 
 when your own souls may be enjoying the frui- 
 tion of heaven, some of these children may, in 
 their turn, be imparting to the young, the in- 
 struction now given by you from Sabbath to 
 Sabbath. Thus the seed sowed by you may 
 bring forth "thirty, sixty, and an hundred 
 fold," while your own spirits, resting "from 
 their labours," may be reposing under the 
 brighter banner of eternal love. 
 
 The rude storm of winter no more shall assail thee, 
 
 Nor sufi's burning ray ever smite thee again ; 
 No fear that thy faith, or thy vigour shall fail thee, 
 
 Nor ingratitude ruffle thy bosom with pain. 
 But there, in the light of the throne that's before thee, 
 
 When the tribes of the Lord shall convene from afar, - 
 When the righteous shall shine as the sun in his glory* 
 
 Each child shall appear as a bright morning star. 
 
 'In rendering to you our acknowledgments of 
 your services and love, we would aecomp&ny 
 them with every persuasion to a « continuance 
 in well doing." "Is it lawful to do good on the 
 Sabbath day?" Then are you engaged in a 
 
36 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 most lawful pursuit — co-operating in the efforts 
 of the ministry. You are engaged in teaching 
 these children to " remember the Sabbath day 
 — to keep it holy." Here you give us that ines- 
 timable book — the Bible. A book whose every 
 teaching says, " Come ye children, hearken unto 
 me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord." 
 Here, too, we are instructed in the necessity, 
 nature, and advantages of prayer. Here it is 
 your work to gather these children, and like 
 Eli, inform them that the word of the Lord is 
 still precious, and while the lamp of heavenly 
 light is still glowing upon us, it is your duty to 
 show us that God is calling us, that we may 
 early answer, as did Samuel, " Speak Lord, for 
 thy servant heareth." Thus, your duty is prin- 
 cipally comprised in teaching us to love the 
 Sabbath— the Bible — and Prayer. These are 
 the glories that form that bow of beauty which, 
 like heaven's arch of loveliness and mercy, thrown 
 across our path, will cheer us with its smile. 0 ! 
 give us these, or you will leave us without the 
 "light of life." I know, dear teachers, that 
 there is much to dismay the heart that looks 
 only « at the things which are seen." You must 
 look into the future. You are now nurturing 
 these little sapplings, which, under your care, 
 may " grow upright as the cedar of Lebanon 
 and who, in future years, as the great Master- 
 
ADDRESSES BY BOYS. 
 
 87 
 
 builder shall be carrying up his temj le, shall be 
 taken to give beauty or strength to the building, 
 or be made "pillars in the house of God." The 
 holiest saints, now raised to « sit together in 
 heavenly places/' were once children even as 
 we, yea, "children of wrath even as others." 
 Labour, then, in patience— labour in hope— that 
 through your instrumentality God may deliver 
 us " from the power of darkness, and translate 
 us into the kingdom of his dear Son." 
 
 The latter day glory will come, and the Sab- 
 bath school is one of those institutions which 
 shall usher in a transformed world. Whatever 
 discouragements you may feel, think of the cer- 
 tain part you are bearing, in advancing that day 
 when God shall say to Zion, « ye shall go forth 
 with joy, and be led forth with peace. The 
 mountains and the hills shall break forth before 
 you into singing, and all the trees of the field 
 shall clap their hands ; instead of the brier shall 
 come up the myrtle tree. Thy people, also, 
 shall be all righteous, they shall inherit the 
 land forever, the branch of my planting, the 
 work of my hand, that I may be glorified. A 
 little one shall become a thousand, and a small 
 one a strong nation." 
 
 « The glory of the Lord displayed, 
 Shall all mankind together view, 
 And what his mouth in truth hath said, 
 His own almighty hand shall do." 
 
 4 
 
ADDRESS BY A BOY, 
 
 Respected Audience — 
 
 The season has returned when we again as- 
 semble with you, to participate in the festivities 
 of a Christmas day— a day which excites in us 
 emotions of the greatest happiness, as remind- 
 ing us of the love of Him, "who, hough he was 
 rich, for your sake became poor, that ye through 
 his poverty might be rich." 
 
 The frequency with which we appear before 
 you, and the great interest you have thus far 
 taken in the welfare of our schools, render it 
 unnecessary for me to enter into any laboured 
 arguments to show the utility of this institution* 
 
 Who that is a friend to the Bible can refrain 
 from supporting an institution, whose primary 
 design is to place that best of books into the 
 hands of every child, and to give that instruc- 
 tion which will impress the truths of that Bible 
 upon every heart ? Especially in this day, when 
 the enemies of all ' righteousness with untiring 
 zeal, strive by every means, to beguile us from 
 the simplicity whic j. is in Christ J esus. 
 
 Who, that has any affection for our common 
 38 
 
ADDRESSES BY BOYS. 
 
 39 
 
 and beloved country, will refuse to support an 
 institution with which is connected so closely, 
 that country's good ? 
 
 It was the saying of an illustrious statesman, 
 that " intelligence is the life of liberty." Hence 
 to promote the cause of liberty we must promote 
 the cause of intelligence. Let those, then, whc 
 mourn over those popular commotions which 
 sometimes agitate our country, do every thing in 
 their power to lengthen the cords, and strengthen 
 the stakes of the Sabbath school, and to bring 
 the children of our land under its influence. 
 Then shall a generation come forth who shall 
 flourish " as the palm-tree, and grow upright as 
 the cedars in Lebanon.' ' 
 
 There is in the helplessness and simplicity of 
 youth, that which commends them to the tender 
 consideration even of strangers. How mucjf 
 more so to their friends and relatives ! Every 
 friend of the child is urged by the most encou- 
 raging considerations, to sustain by prayers, by 
 counsel, and by money, this noble and benevo- 
 lent cause. The Sabbath school has been in- 
 strumental of rearing a wall of virtue around 
 thousands and tens of thousands of children — a 
 wall more solid than adamant, and more beau- 
 tiful than jasper or gold. The Sabbath school 
 has been the means of bringing many to taste 
 at the feet of Jesus, that happiness which has 
 
40 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 consummated in their final rest upon the bosom 
 of Grod ; for as even children are liable to die, 
 the Sabbath school has yielded its tribute to 
 swell the number of those who now have life for 
 ever, in that house " not made with hands, eter- 
 nal in the heavens," where 
 
 " The saints in his presence receive 
 Their great and eternal reward; 
 In Jesus, in heaven they live ; 
 
 They reign in the smile of their Lord." 
 
 In the vegetable world God has appointed 
 seed time and harvest. That the harvest may 
 be good, the seed time must be improved. It is 
 the same in the moral world. And if in future 
 years we would not gather thorns and thistles 
 from the present generation of children, we 
 must be early in occupying the soil. In the 
 course of a few brief years, dear parents, many 
 of us will be reaching that age in life when we 
 must leave the parental roof, and be, to some ex- 
 tent, precluded from that advice which it is now 
 your privilege to give, and our blessedness to 
 receive. The year is not distant when some of 
 these your sons and daughters will say — 
 
 " Mother, I leave thy dwelling, 
 
 Thy counsel and thy care ; 
 With grief my heart is swelling, \| 
 
 No more in them to share ; 
 Nor hear that sweet voice speaking, 
 
 When hours of joy run high, 
 Nor meet that mild eye seeking, 
 
 When sorrow's touch comes nigh. 
 
ADDRESSES BY BOYS. 41 
 
 * Father, I leave thy dwelling, 
 
 And the sweet house of prayer; 
 With grief my heart is swelling, 
 
 No more to meet thee there. 
 Thy faith, and fervor, pleading, 
 
 In unspent tones of love, 
 Perchance my soul are leading, 
 
 To better hopes above." 
 
 0, then, dear parents, work while it is called 
 day, before the harvest is passed, and the sum- 
 mer is ended. 
 
 To you, dear Superintendents and Teachers, 
 let me render the thanks of these hundreds of 
 hearts, for your constant devotedness to our 
 good, and in urging you to future perseverance. 
 I doubt not, these children will unite with me, 
 and stretch out their hands, imploring you not 
 to leave us while we say — « Thy people shall be 
 my people, and thy Grod my Grod." 
 
 [This last is to be repeated by the children.] 
 
 4* 
 
 / 
 
PART II. 
 
 ADDRESSES BY GIRLS 
 
 ADDRESS BY A GIRL. 
 
 [Many schools, particularly in cities and towns, are accustomed 
 to make provision for children in circumstances of need, fur- 
 nishing them clothing, without which they would be unable 
 to attend the school. The following address is designed for 
 such, and may, in any of its parts, be adapted to the circum- 
 stances of the school.] 
 
 Respected Audience — 
 
 ^ You will not, I am confident, view with un- 
 kindness the appearance of a little girl. Why 
 should not a little girl, for once, break the 
 silence which she loves, when persuaded to do 
 so by the officers of her school ? 
 
 When our Lord said, « Suffer little children 
 to come unto me, and forbid them not," I be- 
 lieve that he intended girls should come as well 
 as boys. The friends of our school act upon 
 this principle, and make us all the subjects of 
 their care, so that in our school there are boys 
 and girls. If it is proper that the boys should 
 be represents 1 before you, surely you will suffer 
 
 45 
 
46 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 me to present the claims of the girls, in wl ose 
 behalf I tender to you all, the thanks of our 
 youthful hearts. 
 
 Through your kindness during the past year, 
 we have enjoyed a great deal of happiness. 
 From Sabbath to Sabbath, we have been well 
 instructed in the school, and gathered in the holy 
 temple of our God. Your liberal attention to 
 our mental wants has given us a well furnished 
 library, to which we resort as thirsty pilgrims to 
 a grateful fountain. Mindful as you have ever 
 been, we doubt not, but your liberality will con- 
 tinue to supply us with those excellent volumes 
 which are so amply written for the young. 
 
 It is due to your kindness that we should 
 acknowledge that the needy have been clothed, 
 so that many have been enabled to attend who 
 otherwise would be deprived of this inestimable 
 enjoyment. As it would scarcely be proper for 
 one of these children to appear to thank you, 
 and as it is proper that it should be " told for a 
 memorial" of you, I consented to do it for them. 
 Ah ! dear friends, if you could see as we do, 
 those little bright eyes, which speak the happi- 
 ness of so many little cheerful hearts, you would 
 feel, indeed, the blessedness of doing good ; and 
 if .you could only know, in how great a degree 
 vou cause light to arise upon the darkness of 
 many a widow's heart and home, you would 
 
ADDRESSES BY GIRLS. 
 
 47 
 
 assuredly feel, that "pure religion, and unde- 
 filed before God and the Father, is this, to visit 
 the fatherless and widow, in their afflictions, and 
 to keep yourself unspotted from the world." 
 
 " Thus grief itself has comforts dear, 
 The sordid never know, 
 And ecstacy attends the tear, 
 When kindness bids it flow." 
 
 In the pulpit and elsewhere, we frequently 
 hear the Sabbath school -called a nursery. Such 
 it Is. Yes, and it is your nursery, too. Chil- 
 dren ! let this congregation see what a garden 
 of blossoms is before them. [Here let the chil- 
 dren all rise up.] There, dear people, see, this 
 is your nursery ! [Here let the children be 
 seated again.] In a little time every thrifty 
 plant will be transplanted into different parts 
 of that field which is the world. Yes, from this 
 very nursery may be raised, if not a Wesley, — 
 Clark, — or Sunimerfielct--if not a Susannah 
 Wesley, a Mrs. Rogers, or a Mrs. Fletcher, 
 there will go forth such as shall adorn the reli- 
 gion of the Saviour in the life of the " man of 
 God," or the woman adorned with godliness and 
 good works. I have said the nursery is yours. 
 Cultivate it for Him who sanctions the sentiment, 
 that 
 
 " A £ower when ofFer'd in the bud, 
 v Is no mean sacrifice." 
 
48 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 True, the nursery is the Lord's. But ye are 
 the labourers. Our teachers will weed the gar- 
 den, and sow the good seed. You, dear friends, 
 must water it with prayers — and tears — and 
 smiles. And the Lord, we believe, by giving 
 the increase, will enable you to " reap in jcj." 
 
 " The virtuous mind embalm'd in truth, 
 Shall bloom in everlasting youth, 
 When time no more endures." 
 
ADDRESS BY A GIRL. 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTRUCTION. 
 
 Respected Audience — 
 
 Think not that my coming before this assem- 
 bly is the result of any anxiety of my own. Our 
 teachers have seen proper to exact this service 
 at my youthful hands, and it is only in accord- 
 ance with th£ir wishes that I come from that 
 retirement, which, even on this occasion, would 
 be preferable to me. In yielding to their wishes 
 I am constrained by considering that as the 
 children most largely share the pleasures of this 
 festival, so they should willingly bear a portion 
 of its responsibilities and labours. 
 
 The practical duties and tendencies of the Sab- 
 bath school are so hidden from the public view, 
 that it app'ears appropriate on these anniversary 
 occasions to open our gates, that the public may 
 see the extensive good which this institution is 
 accomplishing. 
 
 "The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, 
 which a woman took, and hid in three measures 
 of meal, till the whole was leavened.' ' The 
 Sunday school is one of the great instrumentali- 
 
 5 49 
 
50 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 ties of diffusing the kingdom of heaven; its 
 work is extensively performed by women, and 
 greatly hidden from the public view. True, the 
 leaven works through the three measures, — the 
 family — the Church — and the world. In the 
 family, the influence of his Sabbath teaching 
 acts upon the child, and binds the young affec- 
 tions to the endearments of the domestic circle ; 
 in the Church, those scholars often become, in 
 maturer years, stable christians or efficient min- 
 isters ; while in the community, they constitute 
 that portion which forms the bulwark of morality, 
 and promotes the well-being of society. It is, 
 therefore, proper that occasions should present, 
 when the bushel should be removed from the 
 lamp, and when the unobscured splendour of the 
 Sunday school should break upon the public eye, 
 
 w " Full orb'd, 
 
 " In its whole round of ra}^s complete." 
 
 Every dispensation with which Divine good- 
 ness has favoured the world, has included chil- 
 dren in its merciful provisions. Under the 
 Jewish economy God said to his people, " and 
 these words which I command thee this day, 
 shall be in thine heart ; and thou shalt teach 
 them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk 
 of them when thou sittest in thine house, and 
 when thou walkest by the way, and when thou 
 liest down, and when thou risest up." 
 
ADDRESSES BY GIKLS. 
 
 51 
 
 Under the gospel dispensation, children 
 equally share the Divine favour. Even in the 
 wilderness, when Jesus fed the four thousand 
 men, the miracle was seen and shared by women 
 and children. In the temple, children sang his 
 praises, and no doubt children mingled in the 
 multitude that listened to the Saviour's lovely 
 sermon upon the mount. 
 
 What though we cannot go with him upon 
 the mountain to take of that bread which was 
 given to the multitude, yet knowing that man 
 cannot live by bread alone, we can ask for that 
 living bread which cometh down from heaven. 
 Although we cannot gather around his feet, and 
 hear his sermon upon the mountain, yet in the 
 blessed gospel we can read the record of those 
 who heard him, and in the Sabbath school we 
 can be instructed in the principles which Christ 
 taught, " when seeing the multitudes, he went 
 up into a mountain ; and when he was set, his 
 disciples came unto him. And he opened his 
 mouth, and taught them, saying : 
 
 " Blessed are the poor in spirit ;" 
 
 [Here let all the children respond.] 
 
 "For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 
 Speaker. "Blessed are they that mourn ;" 
 Children. "For they shall be comforted." 
 Speaker. " Blessed are the meek ;" 
 Children. " For they shall inherit the earth." 
 
52 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER 
 
 Speaker. "Blessed are they that do hunger 
 and thirst after righteousness ;"■ 
 
 Children. " For they shall be filled." 
 
 Speaker. " Blessed are the merciful ;" 
 
 Children. " For they shall obtain mercy." 
 
 Speaker. " Blessed are the pure in heart ;" 
 
 Children. "For they shall see God." 
 
 Speaker. " Blessed are the peace-makers 
 
 Children. "For they shall be called the 
 children of God." 
 
 Speaker. "Blessed are they which are per- 
 secuted for righteousness' sake ;" 
 
 Children. "For theirs is l the kingdom of 
 heaven." 
 
 Speaker. "Blessed are ye when men shall 
 revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all 
 manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake ;" 
 
 Children. " Rejoice, and be exceeding glad ; 
 for great is your reward in heaven ; for so per- 
 secuted they the prophets which were before 
 you." 
 
 Another consideration justifying these public 
 demonstrations, is, that they afford the children 
 an opportunity of evincing to their teachers the 
 high appreciation of their services. Words, it 
 is true, cannot express this regard ; and, know- 
 ing that the satisfaction indicated in the counte- 
 nances of these children, will far better denote 
 the gratitude of their hearts, I shall refrain from 
 
ADDRESSES BY GIRLS 
 
 53 
 
 further disturbing the delicacy of those to whose 
 laborious services I refer. 
 
 In conclusion let me say that the desire of 
 every teacher is that every child upon the earth, 
 shall enjoy the blessings of this lovely institu- 
 tion, and could Sunday school teachers be heard 
 by the children of the wide earth they would 
 say— 
 
 Seek thou to know, and with thy heart to love, 
 The Lamb that died, his tenderness to prove ! 
 Kind will he speak, as man can never speak, 
 And urge the young, his lovely ways to seek. 
 In pure religion there is transport sweet, 
 Repose from sorrow at the Saviour's feet ; 
 Religious truth he plants in the young breast, 
 And dews and smiles the sacred treasure bless. / 
 Through opening years, the ripening fruits increase, 
 And yield a harvest of perenrual peace. 
 That fruit shall live, where joys shall never die, 
 A golden harvest in a glorious sky. 
 
 / 
 
\ 
 
 ADDRESS BY A GIRL. 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTRUCTION. 
 
 Respected Friends- — 
 
 The return of Christmas brings with it a re- 
 turn of gladness ; so that, while to some there 
 may appear to be a degree of sameness in these 
 our anniversary exercises, to us they are new, 
 as our little minds expand, more fully to com- 
 prehend the goodness of our heavenly Father — 
 the kindness of our earthly parents,— and the 
 value of our Sabbath school. 
 
 In attempting to address you, dear parents 
 and" friends, I need hardly ask your indulgence, 
 for you must know how difficult it is, for one 
 little tongue to tell as much as fills three hun- 
 dred little happy hearts. Why only look, here 
 are children who are permitted to say, 
 
 How blessed are our eyes, 
 
 That see this heavenly light ; 
 Prophets and kings desired it long, 
 
 But died without the sight." 
 
 And some of these children, too, are orphans, 
 -without father,' or without mother. Like the 
 little girl who used to sing for her father, and 
 54 
 
ADDRESSES BY GIRLS. 65 
 
 kt ew not what deatli was. When he lay cold 
 and dead, she said: 
 
 " Mother, how still my father lies ! 
 I cannot hear his breath ; 
 I cannot see his smiling eyes, 
 They tell me this is death. 
 
 My little work I thought to bring, 
 
 And sat down by his bed, % 
 
 And pleasantly I tried to sing ; 
 They hush'd me — he is dead. 
 
 They say that he again will rise, 
 
 More beautiful than now ; — 
 That God will bless him in the skies — - 
 ^ O, mother, tell me how !" 
 
 Surely it is a delightful work for those 
 teachers to explain to those little ones, and give 
 them that instruction, of which to a great extent 
 they are deprived in the death of a parent. 
 
 Nor are orphans alone favored in this insti- 
 tution, for we are all taught the scriptures, 
 " which \are able to make us wise unto salva- 
 tion." To give you some little idea, let these 
 children speak for themselves. Children — 
 
 What commands to man are given 1 
 s Ten precepts form the law of heaven* 
 
 The first, dear children, let me hear 1 
 One only God shall man revere. 
 
 The second, children, do you know 1 j 
 To none but God shall any bow. 
 
 The third, come children, speak again, 
 Thou shalt not take his name in vain. 
 
 \ 
 
66 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 The fourth commandment let all say, 
 Remember ye the Sabbath day. 
 
 The fifth commandment do you know ? 
 Honor thy father— -mother too* 
 
 The sixth command is binding still, 
 And that declares thou shalt not kill. 
 
 The seventh, what does it portray 1 
 Tj^at purity should mark our way. 
 
 The eighth, I'm sure you all can tell ; 
 
 It says to man thou shalt not steal. 
 
 The ninth commandment, let us hear ; 
 False witness thou shalt never bear. 
 
 The tenth commandment, do you love it 1 
 We do s for it forbids to covet. 
 
 To you, dear Superintendents and Teachers, 
 I cannot refrain from rendering my expres- 
 sions of gratitude and encouragement." You 
 are engaged in a work, for the reward of which, 
 you must look on high. % We can only thank 
 y$u. 0 think, for one moment, should we, 
 through your instrumentality, be brought to 
 know Jesus in the forgiveness of sins, what will 
 be ytfur happiness and rejoicing with us when 
 " together caught up to share the glory of the 
 Lord ?" What will be the joy of these children ? 
 Should we there be so happy as to meet these 
 our parents — ministers— superintendents and 
 teachers, who have here labored for our good, 
 what shall we say ? Children, what shall we do ? 
 
 [Here wave the hand, by which the children shall all ari* 
 and say,] 
 
 We will " rise up and call them blessed " 
 
f 
 
PART III. 
 
 DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 
 
 DIALOGUE BY BOYS. 
 
 RELIGION IMPORTANT TO CHILDREN. 
 
 William. Good morning, George; I am 
 pleased to meet you ; and if you are not in 
 haste, I have a few questions to ask you. 
 
 George. You are not more pleased at our 
 meeting than I am ; and any conversation that 
 will be for our improvement, will be a pleasure 
 to me. 
 
 William. Tell me, then, candidly, George, 
 do you think there is any use in our attending 
 Sabbath school, every Sabbath ? 
 
 George. Certainly I do; for the Bible says 
 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy/' 
 
 William. But are there not many ways in 
 which a child may keep the Sabbath, without 
 attending the school ? 
 
 George. Perhaps there are; yet no child 
 who can attend, and refuses to do so, will be 
 likely to keep the Sabbath. Have you not 
 
60 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 observed that those children who dislike the 
 school, are such as would rather play in the 
 streets or trifle away their time at home ? I am 
 aware that such children think they never will 
 be greater sinners ; but William, you may de- 
 pend upon it, that none are so effectually 
 guarded from sin, as those who are trained up 
 "in the way they should go." 
 
 William. I do not know, George, but your 
 opinion may be correct, still I must confess that 
 I am sometimes tempted to stay away. Indeed 
 I know some boys, who having lost their fathers, 
 are not watched as carefully as we, and I often 
 wonder they do not avoid attending the school. 
 
 Gilbert. \_A half orphan here rises, up, say- 
 ing,] It is because we have still greater need of 
 the watch care and counsel of the school. 
 
 George. As no children are more exposed, 
 so none have more need of protection. 
 
 Louisa. [Another orphan rises up, saying,] 
 Yes, and to be deprived of the benefit of the 
 Sabbath school, would be to lose a great part of 
 the consolation with which Providence tempers 
 our affliction. 
 
 William. "Well, George, you will surely 
 allow that there is less necessity for the attend- 
 ance of children of wealthy parents, as they can 
 attend every day at the best schools. 
 
 George. In that I differ from you, greatly. 
 
 » 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS 
 
 61 
 
 The blessings of education are so widely diffused 
 throughout our highly favoured country, that 
 almost every child may enjoy them. Even if 
 this were not the case, yet the instruction given 
 in the Sabbath school is essential to salvation. 
 And as it is alike the privilege of the rich and 
 the poor to enjoy that salvation, so it is equally 
 the duty of all to attend the means. 
 
 William, Salvation, George ! You speak of 
 that as though it was a matter of importance to 
 children. Will it not be time enough for that 
 when we are older ? 
 
 (xeorge. Surely, William, you cannot have 
 forgotten what is so repeatedly urged upon us 
 at school. There it is frequently urged upon 
 us to consider the scripture which says, " Re- 
 member now thy Creator, in the days of thy 
 youth, while the evil days come not, nor the 
 years draw nigh, when thou shalt say I have no 
 pleasure in them." Consider, too, how often 
 we are told, u I love them that love me, and 
 those that seek me early shall find me." Our 
 hearts are evil, and we cannot too early seek to 
 have them made pure. 
 
 William. But do you think that a child has 
 an evil heart ? 
 • George/*' TIow can I doubt it, when God says 
 "the imagination of man's heart is evil from 
 bis youth?" 
 
 6 
 
62 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER, 
 
 William. Did you ever read in the Bible of 
 any children who did evil ? 
 
 Creorge. Yes, of many. You certainly re- 
 member the sons of Jacob, and how they hated 
 their brother Joseph — stripped him of his coat 
 of many colours — sold him to be a slave in a 
 land of strangers — and had not Providence 
 defeated their wicked designs, they would, have 
 brought their father's « grey hairs down with 
 sorrow to the grave.' ' 
 
 William. Yes, I remember them. But I 
 wonder why they should so have hated their 
 brother. 
 
 John. [Rising up and saying very loud,'] May 
 it not have been that Joseph was, as some boys 
 are now-a-days, very proud of his fine coat ? 
 
 Gfeorge. That could not have been, as Joseph 
 was a most humble youth. Humility and pride 
 could not exist together. 
 
 William. There may have been something 
 to have excited their envy. 
 
 Isaac. [Rising up and saying aloud,] May 
 it not have been that Jacob thought more of 
 J oseph than his other children ? The partiality 
 of parents always makes mischief. 
 
 Creorge. But older children should never be 
 envious if those who are of a more tender age, 
 are more tenderly treated. 
 
 Mary. [Rising up, and speaMng promptly 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 
 
 63 
 
 and aloud. 1 I think there were too many boys in 
 that family. If there had been some sisters ' 
 among them the boys would have done better. 
 
 George. However that might have been, 
 still their conduct shows the great depravity of 
 their hearts ; a depravity common to all, both 
 girls and boys, as it is written " they are all 
 gone out of the way ; they are together become' 
 unprofitable ; there is none that doeth good, no, 
 not one." You may rely upon it, William, that 
 if we are not actually engaged in well-doing, 
 we shall be more likely to go into the way of 
 evil. Those children who are attentive to the 
 Sabbath school will be profitably employed — 
 faithfully and religiously instructed — and their 
 tender minds, instead of appearing like a garden 
 overspread with weeds,, and thorns, and tares, 
 will receive that good seed which shall bring 
 "forth fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred 
 fold/' 
 
 William. I believe, George, that you are 
 right ; although there may appear to be some 
 restraint and confinement in the regular man- 
 ner in which these Sabbath duties are exacted, 
 the sacrifice will be compensated in a blessed 
 reward. The suggestions I have made, are 
 more the remarks of other children than the 
 convictions of my own mind, and I trusty as th© 
 
64 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 result of our present conversation, we shall all 
 be more diligent in improving a privilege so 
 great, as that of spending God's holy day in 
 the pleasures and blessings of the Sunday 
 school. 
 
DIALOGUE BY BOYS. 
 
 IMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUSLY INSTRUCTING XHl 
 
 YOUNG. 
 
 Robert. Thomas, I am glad that I have met 
 with you, as I perceive that you still attend the 
 Sabbath school. 
 
 Thomas. Yes, Bobert, I am still in the 
 school, though to be candid with you my attend- 
 ance is not a little owing to the persuasion and 
 perseverance of my parents, who look more at 
 my future benefit than at my present inclina- 
 tion. I know many boys who do not attend 
 the school, and are they not doing as well as we 
 are? 
 
 Robert. They are not ; nor can I see why 
 any child should wish to stay away, when know- 
 ledge is of so much advantage, and when at the 
 Sabbath school it is so freely obtained. 
 
 Thomas. Why, Bobert, there is Charles 
 Careless, who lives in our neighbourhood, who 
 never goes to Sabbath school, and scarcely ever 
 to church. You may see him almost every Sab- 
 bath, taking what he calls his recreation. He 
 Bays his father thinks there is no need of send- 
 
 6* 65 
 
66 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER, 
 
 ing a child to Sabbath school. He says it gives 
 them a bias in favour of religion, and in his 
 opinion they ought to be left free from such bias 
 until they are of mature age. 
 
 Robert. Ah, Thomas, that is a strange and 
 fatal error ! Because God has created us with 
 the power of choice, these parents would leave 
 their children without the light and instruction 
 which are essential to enable us to make a cor- 
 rect choice. 
 
 Thomas. Then you really conceive, Robert, 
 that it is proper for parents to place their chil- 
 dren where they may receive good and whole- 
 some instruction. 
 
 Robert. By all means, Thomas. What would 
 you think of a shepherd, whose care should be 
 specially directed to the protection of the lambs 
 of his flock, who would throw down the fences 
 of his fold, and leave the inexperienced lamb to 
 exercise its own judgment, either to remain 
 within the fold, or to wander off to the path and 
 the den of the wolf? Do you not think that 
 the wolf would try to give a bias to the lamb, 
 Thomas? ' 
 
 Thomas. Yes ; for I know it is the practice 
 of all enemies to seek to betray and decoy those 
 whom they would destroy. 
 
 Robert. Well, Thomas, ought not those whose 
 duty it is to protect them, to be equally indus- 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 
 
 67 
 
 Irious ? Is it not the duty of earthly parents 
 io " give good gifts" unto their children ? Surely 
 those porents who withhold religious instruction 
 from their children, are giving them u stones for 
 bread," and " scorpions for fish." If God feeds 
 the young ravens, we are of more value than 
 they, and God will feed us. As it is the duty 
 of parents to provide for their own household, 
 @ur parents should not only labour to give us 
 ^the bread that perisheth," but they should 
 place us in such situations as will be most likely 
 to bring us the meat that shall endure unto ever- 
 lasting life. Even the eagle watcheth over her 
 young, and beareth and feedeth them. 
 
 Thomas. But, Robert, may not the instruc- 
 tion of which you speak be obtained without 
 going to Sabbath school? Then, again, there 
 are some, you know, who think we ought not to v 
 read the Bible, as it contains so many mysteries 
 which a child cannot understand. 
 
 Robert. I know it does, Thomas. But the 
 world itself is Ml of mvsteries. I used, when 
 I was small, to think it strange how people could 
 tell the time of day by a watch — or when the 
 tide was high or low by looking into an almanac ; 
 and I never could tell how the man found it out 
 who put it into the almanac. I cannot tell how 
 it is that those flowers which are called four- 
 ©'clocks, and morning glories, open and shut as 
 
68 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 they do. There are many other things which I 
 do not understand ; but this is no reason why I 
 should wish to be smitten with blindness, or to 
 be surrounded with perpetual night, through 
 fear of seeing things which I cannot understand. 
 Besides this, Thomas, there are many things in 
 the Bible which I once could not understand, 
 though I now perceive them plainly. There are 
 many subjects referred to in the Bible which we 
 now know only in part, which hereafter we will 
 know more perfectly. 
 
 Isaac. [Rising up, and speaking aloud.] 
 Why, little as I am, there are many things in 
 the Bible which I understand, though there are 
 many things in nature which I do not under- 
 stand. 
 
 Thomas. What is there in nature that you 
 do not understand, Isaac ? 
 
 Isaac. Why, I'll tell you. Now you know 
 that if you cut a water-melon open you will 
 find hundreds of seeds ; I never could tell how 
 those seeds get inside. 
 
 Thomas. Why, they grow there, Isaac. 
 
 Isaac. Yes, yes ; I know that, but how do 
 they grow ? Then, again, here is this cocoa- 
 nut ; it is full of milk. I never could tell how 
 the milk gets there. When the cocoa-nut was 
 small, no bigger than a marble, there was scarcely 
 a drop of milk in it, and now there is nearly a 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 69 
 I 
 
 tea-cup full, though the cocoa-nut has been tight 
 shut ever since. 
 
 Thomas. Why, it grows there, Isaac. 
 
 Isaac. Well, I suppose it does, but I do not 
 understand it. 
 
 Robert. Tell us, Isaac, what is there in tha 
 Bible that you know. 
 
 Isaac. I know that God says, in the Bible, 
 " I love them that love me, and they that seek 
 me early shall find me." 
 
 Thomas, Then, Bobert, you are of opinion 
 that all people should have the Bible, and espe- 
 cially children. 
 
 Robert. Certainly ; and I am the more firm 
 in that opinion, as I believe it is the wish of 
 Satan to keep the Bible from us, " lest the light 
 of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the 
 image of God, should shine' ' unto us. On the 
 other hand, " it is good and acceptable in the 
 sight of God our Saviour, who will have all 
 men to be saved and come to the knowledge of 
 the truth as it is in Christ,' ' that children should 
 )bb nurtured and admonished by his word. Paul 
 would have Timothy remember, that from a child 
 thou hast "known the holy scriptures, which 
 are able to mako thee wise unto salvation." 
 The Saviour, who was once a child as we are, 
 grew in knowledge as well as stature, and if 
 like liim we would grow in favour with God and 
 
TO 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 man, we must have our hearts controlled by the 
 word of the Lord, and we may rest assured, the 
 most effectual way of bringing up children to 
 pursue a virtuous course, is to train them up in 
 the way they should go, that when they are old 
 they may not " depart therefrom." Wisdom's 
 « ways are pleasantness, and all her paths are 
 peace." 0, Thomas ! Let us rather pity than 
 envy those children who are strangers to the 
 Sabbath school, and to the sanctuary of God, 
 To such let every scholar say [Here let all the 
 children repeat,] " Come thou and go with us ? 
 and we will do thee good." 
 
DIALOGUE BY BOYS. 
 
 THE EXPOSURES AND PROTECTION OF THE YOUNG, 
 
 Andrew. B xchard, I am happy in meeting 
 you this morning ; and according to the custom 
 of the season, I wish you a most happy Christ- 
 mas. 
 
 Richard. Andrew, accept my thanks for 
 your good wishes, and permit me in return to 
 express my desire that you may be happy not 
 only upon Christmas day, but throughout " the 
 life that now is, and that which is to come." 
 
 Andrew. The life to come, Bichard ? That 
 is a subject connected with religion ; and do you 
 think that I am old enough to understand much 
 upon that subject ? 
 
 Richard. Can you doubt it, Andrew ? Let 
 me ask you, how old are you ? 
 
 Andrew. I am seven years old. 
 
 Richard. Certainly, then, you are of suffi- 
 cient age to "remember your Creator." You 
 know that it is from God you derive all your 
 blessings, and with such knowledge it is your 
 duty to love him. 
 
 Andrew. But, Bichard, have you any know- 
 
 71 
 
72 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKE&. 
 
 I 
 
 ledge of any who in childhood have been reli- 
 gious ? 
 
 Richard. Yes, many. Samuel was early 
 called to he a servant of the Lord, and Oba« 
 diah "feared the Lord from his youth," And 
 why should not children love^ and serVe their 
 Lord, for he is their Father ? And if he required 
 Abraham to offer his children at eight days of 
 age, is he pleased with those who remain so 
 many years without knowing him ? He feeds 
 the ravens, and hears the cry of the sparrow? 
 and if children are of more value than many 
 sparrows, then God will hear their cry, and feed 
 them with the bread of eternal life. 
 
 Andrew. I suppose, Richard, this is what 
 you learn at Sabbath school ? 
 
 Richard. It is true, Andrew, I learn it at 
 Sabbath school, but not there alone. Yet it 
 would be strange, Andrew, if we should attend 
 the Sabbath school, and not be instructed in the 
 things which make for our peace. 
 
 Andrew. May we not learn as much at home, 
 and by attending church, as by going to Sabbath 
 school ? 
 
 Richard. To attend the church, is undoubt- 
 edly of the first importance, and it was never 
 intended that the Sabbath school should super- 
 sede any other method of instruction, or take 
 the place of that mode of worship which is due 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 
 
 73 
 
 fro God, ,nd which should be rendered in hia 
 holy temple; yet, Andrew, any child fond of 
 the church should be fond of the Sabbath school. 
 
 Andrew. But you are aware, Richard, that 
 Sabbath schools have only been in existence a 
 short time, and but few of our parents have ever 
 been scholars in them, and have not they done 
 well enough without such schools ? 
 
 Richard. That is no argument against the 
 usefulness of Sabbath schools, nor is it any rea- 
 son why we should not attend them. A Jew 
 might as well have answered our Lord, and his 
 apostles, by saying, we have no need of you as 
 a teacher. Our fathers got along without the 
 religion of the New Testament, and so may we. 
 
 [Here let William rise up and say, aloud J 
 
 William. Yes, and a boy might as well say, 
 his grandfather got along well enough without 
 steamboats and railroads, and therefore we had 
 better keep to the old sloops and stages. 
 
 Eichard. Yes, Andrew, your reasoning 
 would go against all improvements. And you 
 should consider, too, that we have greater need 
 than our parents had when thev were children, 
 of every means of instruction to lead us in the 
 way of truth, and to save us from vice. 
 
 Andrew. Is that possible, Richard, when 
 there is so much done in behalf of children ? . 
 
 Richard. Certainly, it is possible, Andrew, 
 
 7 
 
74 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 if children are not willing to be placed under 
 the influence of those benefits. 
 
 Andrew. Do you suppose, Richard, that the 
 times in which we live are more immoral than 
 the times in which our parents were children ? 
 
 Richard. When I hear our parents and 
 others converse upon this subject, I cannot 
 doubt it, especially with reference to cities, 
 where evil temptations and examples are fear- 
 fully and rapidly increasing. 
 
 Andrew. What, Richard, do you particularly 
 mean ? 
 
 Richard. Why, I have been told that some 
 years ago, it was the common custom for alder- 
 men and Sunday officers, to send all boys home 
 whom they found gathering for play about the 
 corners or in the streets. All stores were closed, 
 and the authorities were very rigid ; but now, 
 alas ! how frequently do we see boys playing 
 marbles, whistling, swearing, and gathering, as 
 if the Lord's day had no sanctity. Stores are 
 open in many parts of the city, liquor and fruit 
 are sold in abundance, and every temptation 
 afforded to ruin the dissipated and corrupt the 
 young. 
 
 Andrew. I agree with you, Richard, that 
 the effect of such things must be most destruc- 
 tive. And such profanity ! I acknowledge to 
 you, Richard, that when I remember that God 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 
 
 75 
 
 says, " Thou shall not take the name of the 
 Lord thy God in vain," and when I remember 
 he poured out his wrath upon Sodom and Go- 
 morrah, I am astonished at his forbearance, and 
 wonder that he does not come out in judgment 
 against these evil doers. 
 
 Richard. It is because he is " slow to anger, 
 and of great kindness," Andrew, that such are 
 not consumed. Rather than visit them in judg- 
 ment, he visits them in mercy. 
 
 " He never takes the harsher way, 
 When love will do the deed." 
 
 Hence it is that the Sabbath school is given 
 to shelter us from this storm of iniquity. So 
 that where " sin hath abounded, grace has much 
 more abounded. 5 ' But what shall we think of 
 those men who keep open their stores and shops 
 upon the Sabbath day ? 
 
 Henry. [Rising up.] Ill tell you what I 
 think. It is a great pity those men had not 
 gone to Sabbath school when they were children. 
 They would have been taught better. 
 
 Richard. And what shall we think of those 
 boys who are seen going in groups on a Sabbath 5 
 with their balls and bats, and skates ? Neglect- 
 ing the church and the school, they are left to 
 themselves. 
 
 Emma. [Rising up.] I think of such, with 
 
76 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 » 
 
 Solomon, " a child left to himself, bringeth his 
 mother to shame.' ' 
 
 Andrew. I think, Eichard, you are right, 
 and that it is the duty of children to " fear the 
 Lord, and keep his commandments." 
 
 .Richard. Yes, Andrew, and think of the 
 Holy child J esus, for while it is written that 
 man his whole life was good, and as God, « he 
 did all things well," it is said of the child, yes, 
 Andrew, of the child Jesus, that he " grew in 
 knowledge, and increased in favour with God 
 and man." And look at Washington, the brave, 
 the wise, the virtuous Washington, the father 
 of our country. When only a few years old, he 
 feared his God, and scorned to tell a lie. 
 
 Andrew. Think not, Richard, that I ex 
 pressed myself through any doubts of the ex- 
 cellency of the Sabbath school, for I have often 
 found it good to be there. I am glad that the 
 Sabbath school has so warm a place in your 
 affections. Here is my heart, and here is my 
 hand, my dear young friend, pledged with you 
 in this delightful work ; and these children, in 
 love of their God, will unite with me in singing, 
 
 [Here let all sing—" O the place !"] 
 
 " Together let us sweetly live, 
 Together let us die ; 
 And each a starry crown receive, 
 And reign above the sky." 
 
DIALOGUE BY BOYS 
 
 THE RISE AND ADVANTAGES OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 
 
 Charles. Here we are again, Henry, in the 
 midst of our Sunday school celebration, and I 
 suppose you are much gratified. 
 
 Henry. I am, indeed; and in return say 
 that I trust it is no less pleasing to you. 
 
 Qharles. Why, yes, it is pleasant; but do 
 you not think that children are too young to 
 have their attention so earnestly directed to the 
 subject of religion ? 
 
 Henry. By no means, Charles ; and when 
 we consider the many exposures of children, we 
 ought to desire that they should have every 
 protection which those who are older can afford, 
 them. 
 
 Charles. But Sabbath schools, however, have> 
 not always been in existence, you are aware. 
 
 Henry. t True, neither have children always 
 had the same exposures. As infidelity directed 
 its efforts to decoy the young, it was providen- 
 tial that this institution had reared its walls for 
 the defence of youth. 
 
 7* 77 
 
78 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER 
 
 Charles. Where was the first Sabbath school 
 formed ? 
 
 Henry. In Great Britain — in the city of 
 Gloucester. 
 
 Charles. At what time was it commenced ? 
 
 Henry. In the year 1771, just years 
 
 since. 
 
 Charles. Who was Mr. Raikes, the cele- 
 brated founder ? 
 
 Henry. Robert Raikes, was a gentleman of 
 Gloucester, and by trade a Printer. He was 
 one morning walking in the outer parts of the 
 city, searching for a suitable person to serve 
 him as a gardener. During this walk his atten- 
 tion was drawn to the great number of little 
 boys, whose offensive conduct and profane lan- 
 guage shocked his feelings and excited his com- 
 miseration. Upon expressing his surprise to 
 an old lady, in the neighbourhood, she informed 
 him, that much worse conduct was to be seen, 
 and more shocking language to be heard, on 
 almost every Sabbath, when they assembled in 
 great numbers. After much reflection upon the 
 subject, he determined to make an effort for 
 their improvement, and employed four old ladies 
 to teach them at his own expense. So perfectly 
 did the experiment succeed, that under the 
 favour of Providence, in a little time similar 
 schools were extended throughout the kingdom. 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 
 
 79 
 
 Charles. Why is it that they do not pay the 
 teachers now ? 
 
 Henry. Mr. Wesley was the first to adopt 
 the present and gratuitous plan. He thought 
 it would be a profitable and delightful work in 
 which to engage persons with religious and 
 benevolent feelings. This improvement by Mr. 
 Wesley, has become generally adopted. One 
 of its great advantages is, that it contributes to 
 the piety and usefulness of an army of young 
 professors of Christianity, and brings into requi- 
 sition much of the talent and piety of the 
 church, training up, in more than Spartan 
 vigour, armies for God, that in their turn may 
 be active in seeking the demolition of the king- 
 dom of darkness. I suppose, Charles, you are 
 aware of the commencement of Sabbath schools, 
 in our own country? 
 
 Henry. I believe I am. The first Sunday 
 school formed in the United States, was in 
 Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 Charles. At what time was it commenced ? 
 
 Henry. In the year 1807. The next school 
 was opened in the city of New York, in 1814, 
 and about the same time, a school was com 
 menced in Philadelphia, in the Masonic hall in 
 Chesnut street. The first scholar in Philadel- 
 phia was an old woman, who desired to learn to 
 read the Bible, though fifty-two years of age. 
 
80 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Charles. And now there are hundreds of 
 thousands of these schools, and millions of 
 children enjoying their benefits. , 0 ! it is a 
 pleasing, glorious thought, that our joy to-day, 
 is the joy of millions! While we, and others 
 upon earth, are walking in these lovely paths, 
 who can tell the number of those who are now 
 sharing in heaven, that blessedness to which the 
 Sabbath school can lead as an agency of grace. 
 
 Henry. Then you really think, Charles, 
 that children, who are the care of the Sabbath 
 school, should be the care of the Church, as they 
 are the care of the Saviour ? 
 
 Charles. Certainly I do. Let me ask, who 
 are the subjects of the kingdom of heaven ? 
 
 [Here let all the school answer, aloud,] 
 
 Little children ! 
 
 Charles. Who are the lambs of that flock he 
 purchased with his own blood, and whom he 
 required his Church to feed ? 
 
 All. Children ! 
 
 Charles. Who were those whose praises filled 
 the temple, when the Saviour approved of their 
 hosannahs ? 
 
 All. Children! 
 
 Henry. True it is, Charles, that children 
 are included among his people " and the sheep 
 of his pasture are we;" and it becomes us with 
 
4 
 
 DIALO&UES BY BOYS. 81 
 
 ftll earnestness to improve an institution afford- 
 ing us such great inducements to "fear God and 
 keep his commandments.' ' 
 
 Charles. In so doing we shall not only 
 ienote the truest wisdom, but will evince be- 
 coming gratitude to our Great Shepherd, even 
 our Saviour, and shall cherish a grateful appre- 
 ciation of the beloved memory of the honoured 
 Raikes. 
 
 While earth shall love to hold the j 
 
 In memory young and bright ; 
 His name, to purest fame a trust, 
 
 Shall give the young delight. 
 The name of Raikes shall ever live, 
 While Sunday schools their blessings give. 
 
 Like Franklin he high fix'd the eye, 
 
 On scenes before unknown, 
 And from the altars of the sky, 
 
 Brought living glory down. 
 'Twas his that fire to kindle first, 
 'Tis ours to guard the sacred trust. 
 
 To distant lands that flame shall burn, 
 
 And break the gloom of error's night, 
 Till every land to God shall turn, 
 
 And earth rejoice in Eden's light : 
 The Sabbath school her walls shall raise, 
 And all her gates be filled with praise. 
 
DIALOGUE BY BOYS. 
 
 THE TEMPERANCE PLEDGE. 
 
 Henry.. Where now, Charles? Why are 
 you in such haste, that you can scarcely see a 
 young friend ? 
 
 Charles. I am going to the temperance 
 meeting, Henry. Perhaps you will go with 
 me. 
 
 Henry. Not I, indeed. I go to no such 
 places. 
 
 Charles. Sorry I am to hear it, Henry. 
 But why is it that you go to no such places ? 
 
 Henry. Mostly because my father objects. 
 He says they are pushing their temperance 
 proceedings too far. 
 
 Charles. Your father object ! 0 ! how cau-' 
 tious. should fathers be in the advice they give 
 their children. He thinks, too, they are push- 
 ing the temperance cause too far. It must be 
 pushed far if it ever reaches the evil it seeks to 
 overthrow. How far that evil has gone! It 
 turns the fruit and grain which God has given 
 for the support of nature, into poison most 
 deadly — it impoverishes families, ' and pushes 
 82 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS 
 
 83 
 
 many a wife with her children into want and 
 wretchedness. It perverts society, and pushes 
 justice from her seat. The fires of its wasting 
 have swept over the land, and its wrecks have 
 been scattered on the waves of every sea. Push 
 temperance matters as far as you may, and still 
 beyond, you will find scenes of desolation as 
 fearful as the plains over which have rolled the 
 ponderous wheels of the car of Jugurnot, until 
 the eye dims in the tears that flow in view of 
 the direful vision. 
 
 Henry. But what good can children do in 
 such a cause? • 
 
 Charles. Much every way. They can have 
 their minds instructed in relation to an evil 
 which opens its tempting paths to all. It was 
 in his childhood, that Hannibal, the great Car- 
 thagenian soldier, was urged by Hamilcar, his 
 father, to swear " eternal enmity to Rome/' 
 If the young can be brought to see the enormi- 
 ties of intemperance, they may be trained up in 
 the hatred of a monster more powerful for evil 
 than were the legions of ancient Rome. 
 
 Henry. But is it not better to let the men 
 take hold of the evil ? 
 
 Charles. There are times, Henry, when the 
 stones may cry out ; times, when even a little 
 David may go down to Israel's camp, and meet 
 a giant with stones from a brook of cold water. 
 
84 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 St. Paul's nephew sounded the alarm, though a 
 mere lad, by which the jailer was enabled to 
 save the life of the great apostle from the hands 
 of assassins. A little boy carried the loaves 
 and fishes with which the thousands were fed in 
 the wilderness. 
 
 Benjamin. [Rising up, and speaking aloud.] 
 Yes, and many a boy has been made to carry 
 the bottle for his father; so that boys some- 
 times have something to do with pushing these 
 matters. « 
 
 Henry. You certainly do not suppose that 
 I would be seen doing any such act. 
 
 • Benjamin. By no means, Henry ; yet, if 
 you would disdain carrying a bottle, .why not 
 unite with us in efforts to stop the traffic. 
 Many a poor boy, Henry, has been compelled 
 to carry the bottle, when he knew that its con- 
 tents would brutalize his father, and bring upon 
 his mother, sorrow that would finally break her 
 heart.- 
 
 Ellen. [Rising up.] Yes, and little girls 
 have sometimes had to carry the bottle. 
 
 Sophia. [Rising up.] You would never catch 
 me carrying a bottle. 
 
 Henry. How would you prevent it, if your 
 father sent you ? 
 
 Mien. Why, I would go and get a pledge, 
 and ask him to sign it. 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 
 
 85 
 
 Henry. But suppose he would not ? 
 
 Sophia. Then I would sign it myself, and 
 tell him my pledge would not allow of my 
 carrying the bottle. 
 
 Henry. Yes ; yes ; but he might not be 
 willing to allow you to sign the pledge ; and he 
 might compel you to carry the bottle. 
 
 Charles. Then I would tell him he was 
 pushing his opposition too far. 
 
 Henry. Come, Charles, I see you are all 
 temperance built? here ; so I'll go with you and 
 hear what more can be said.' 
 
 Charles. Yes, Henry, we are all temperance 
 built, and the noble ship in which we sail, is 
 named "The Total Abstinence," and all these 
 boys and girls are now upon her gallant deck 
 and with all sails set, and our flag at the mast 
 head, they are all ready to sing. 
 
 [Here let the children all sing.] 
 
 8 
 
PART IV. 
 
 DIALOGUES BY GIRLS, 
 
 DIALOGUE BY GIRLS. 
 
 EXAMPLES OF FIETY IK YOUTH. / 
 
 Maria. In the midst of our pleasures, it 13 
 a great part of my happiness, Elizabeth, to 
 meet with one for whom I feel as much affection 
 as I do for you. 
 
 Elizabeth. You have but expressed the sen- 
 timents of my own heart, Maria. This is indeed 
 a most gratifying break in the sameness of our 
 Sabbath school exercises, and constitutes a 
 delightful season of recreation. 
 
 M. I hope, Elizabeth, that while you speak 
 of sameness you do not conceive the Sabbath 
 school deficient of interest. 
 
 JE. To be candid with you, Maria, I have 
 sometimes thought that there was too much con- 
 stancy and application in our exercises from 
 Sabbath to Sabbath. Indeed, I am not sure, 
 but children are brought too early to reflect 
 
 8* 89 
 
90 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 upon a subject of so much moment as is that of 
 religion. 
 
 M. In so thinking, Elizabeth, you must cer- 
 tainly be mistaken. 
 
 JE. Since you suppose so, Maria, can you 
 tell me of any mentioned in the Bible, who were 
 early made the subjects of religious enjoyment? 
 
 M. Yes, there are many. Obadiah ; young 
 king J osiah ; Solomon, and many others. 
 
 Isaac. [Rising up,] Yes ; and there was 
 Samuel ; he prayed, and the Lord heard him, 
 when he was as little as I am. 
 
 JE. 0 yes, I know ; these were boys. Such 
 are always more exposed than girls, and have 
 greater need of the restraints of religion* 
 
 M. To what do you refer, Elizabeth ? 
 
 JE. Men are the strength of a nation ; and 
 in old times boys were early trained to be sol- 
 diers, and to perform many duties which injured 
 their morals and exposed their lives. 
 
 M. That is all true, Elizabeth. 
 
 JE. Yes, and in our own times, it is much 
 the same. They are to make our soldiers, our 
 firemen, our seamen, and our men of business. 
 They ought, I think, to have the guards of reli- 
 gion early thrown between them and their expo- 
 sures. 
 
 M. True, Elizabeth, and how important that 
 we, their sisters, in whose behalf their toils and 
 
DIALOGUES BY GIRLS. 
 
 91 
 
 perils are the greater, should share in that reli- 
 gion, that our prayers, our precepts, and exam- 
 ple, might aid in throwing around our dear, 
 dear brothers, that strong guard of which you 
 speak — the religion of Jesus. Elizabeth, have 
 you a brother ? 
 
 [Grirls generally .*] I have. 
 
 M. You cannot tell how much it is in the 
 power of every sister, especially when the ami- 
 able graces of religion sweeten her temper, to 
 throw around her home those charms which add 
 to the endearments of the family circle. Future 
 years may sever their persons, but can never 
 obliterate from a brother's heart, the subduing 
 memory of a sister's love, especially if that 
 love has been mingled with kindlings from a 
 throne of grace. You have read, Elizabeth, the 
 history of the infant Moses ? 
 
 E. 0 yes, I have read it often, and with the 
 deepest interest. I cannot tell you how much I 
 have been affected when I have thought of his 
 dear mother, as she placed him in the ark of 
 bulrushes. Oh ! how the poor woman must have 
 felt. 
 
 M. Yes, Elizabeth, and have you not thought 
 of his sister ? She stood and watched ; and when 
 her little brother was found by the princess, she 
 
 * Ever}'- girl in the school, having a brother, is to repeat this 
 answer, all unitedly and distinctly. 
 
92 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 ran to procure the nurse. Surely it is an encou* 
 raging thought, that in effecting the safety of 
 Moses, — who became a man so good and so 
 great — though his own mother was needed, and 
 a princess employed, yet his sister — watchful, 
 constant, and faithful — his sister was a highly 
 honoured instrument. 
 
 JE. I was about to remark a while ago, Ma- 
 ria, that the ca§e-s you mentioned were those of 
 boys ; and I would now ask you if you know of 
 any instances mentioned in the Bible, in which 
 girls have given evidence of early piety ? 
 
 M. Do you not remember the case of the 
 little Hebrew girl ? 
 
 [All the children.] Second book of Kings, 
 and fifth chapter. 
 
 M. When but a child she was made a cap- 
 tive in war. Far from home, her parents, and 
 her temple, she lived a captive. Still she remem- 
 bered God, and his prophet. 
 
 JE. She must, I think, have had good pa- 
 rents. 
 
 Susan. [Rising up.] Yes ; and it shows 
 that it is good to train up children in the way 
 they should go. 
 
 M. Not only were her parents probably 
 good, but, from her history, we may suppose 
 that there was a compliance on her part with 
 thsir instructions. How different it would have 
 
DIALOGUES BY GIRLS. 93 
 
 been, my dear Elizabeth, had that child been 
 inattentive, under a mistaken sentiment that 
 earlier years might be spent in the neglect of 
 religion. 
 
 H. I thank «,you, Maria, for your kind inti- 
 mation, and trust I shall profit by it. But you 
 must, nevertheless, admit that at Sabbath school 
 we are taught to esteem, as vain and dangerous, 
 many pleasures for which we have a strong 
 inclination. 
 
 M. Inclination is not to be our guide, Eli- 
 zabeth. There are many amusements in which 
 we would delight to indulge, which are entirely 
 at variance with the sanctions of religion. By 
 their fruits we judge of trees ; and in the same 
 manner we may judge of pleasures. The plea- 
 sures of sin may often yield a flower of gayety ; 
 but that flower may ripen into fruit, staining 
 the purity it touches, and giving bitterness and 
 anguish to the soul that tastes it. Be assured, 
 Elizabeth, that the best guide to the path of the 
 young, through a world in which there is so 
 much to ensnare, is that Bible which will ever 
 be an overshadowing cloud in the day of pros- 
 perity, and a pillar of flame in the season of 
 trial. Ever remember, then, my dear Elizabeth, 
 that God has not made us like the little hum- 
 ming-bird, to range in sun-light from flower to 
 flower, and then to shrink away in the coming 
 
 v 
 
94 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 of winter, We are formed for eternity. Let 
 us then make such improvement of oar present 
 hours, as shall yield us fruits of righteousness, 
 when we shall prove the unending realities of 
 that eternity in which we may enjoy the pre- 
 sence and smile of our God. 
 
 JE. This conversation, my dear Maria, has 
 afforded me much pleasure, and will prompt me 
 with increased delight to attend the school 
 where already my enjoyments have been so 
 many ; and may its blessings be diffused until 
 the children of the whole earth shall say to 
 each nation,—" Thy children shall all be taught 
 ly the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy 
 children." 
 
 [This quotation is to be repeated aloud by the whole school.] 
 
 *.. / 
 
 mm > r - :':< M<j* 
 
DIALOGUE BY GIRLS. 
 
 DANCING. 
 
 Cornelia. 0 Catharine ! Have you heard 
 f the ball that Mrs. Wilson is to give to-mor- 
 row night, on the occasion of Sophia's birth-day? 
 
 Catharine. I have, Cornelia ; and am much 
 surprised that Sophia's mother should have 
 thought of such a foolish amusement. 
 
 Cornelia. Foolish, Catharine ? How can you 
 call it foolish ? I have been persuading mother 
 to let me go, as I am invited. Being refused 
 the permission, I have been quite down-hearted 
 ever since. 
 
 Catharine. I am sorry that you should feel 
 any disappointment or sorrow upon that subject. 
 Your mother, I think, has exhibited her good 
 sense and truest affection, in refusing a grati- 
 fication that might possibly prove a lasting 
 injury. 
 
 Cornelia. An injury? How can that be? 
 It is only an innocent amusement. 
 
 Catharine. Innocent, Cornelia ? I think it 
 is far from being innocent. It is wicked. 
 
 Cornelia. How can you say so, Catharine ? 
 It is a cheerful and healthful exercise. 
 
 95 
 
96 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 ■ 
 
 Catharine. It may be cheerful, Cornelia; 
 but cheerfulness does not always come from 
 doing right. Gay and thoughtless people are 
 often cheerful, because they break away from 
 those teachings by which our Heavenly Father 
 endeavours to restrain us from the ways of error 
 and danger. In some instances dancing may 
 be healthful ; but I have heard and read of so 
 many persons whose health has been injured by 
 it, that I think dancing any thing but proper. 
 I have heard of many who have even died from 
 its injurious effects. 
 
 Cornelia. That I should think impossible, 
 Catharine. 
 
 Catharine. It is true, Cornelia. Ladies who 
 attend balls, are usually dressed very lightly. 
 The dancing is indulged in until it becomes im- 
 moderate. The scene is exciting ; and when the 
 ball closes, the ladies return home through a 
 keen midnight air. Under such circumstances, 
 the slightest cold may take a strong grasp upon 
 the^system ; so that however good the exercise 
 may be, dancing is such a dangerous mode of 
 obtaining it, that it is far better to procure it in 
 some more rational way. 
 
 Cornelia. It cannot be so wicked, Catharine, 
 for you know that it is mentioned in the Bible. 
 Solomon says, "there is a time to dance." 
 
 Catharine. I know he does : but he does not 
 
V 
 
 DIALOGUES BY GIRLS. 
 
 97 
 
 gpeak of it as approving it. When lescribing 
 the conduct of men, he says, " God made man 
 upright, but man had sought out many inven- 
 tions." Perhaps, Cornelia, one of those inven- 
 tions is dancing. In making mention of the 
 many uses to which men have appropriated 
 time, Solomon says, "there is a time to dance." 
 He does not say that it is either proper or wise, 
 but simply that men take " a time to dance." 
 
 Cornelia. But David approved of it, and 
 danced before the ark, and that too on an occa- 
 sion entirely religious. 
 
 Catharine. Not entirely religious, Cornelia, 
 for David, as a king, viewed the bringing up of 
 the ark as an event of a national character, as 
 well as of religious interest. It was no dance, 
 in the common meaning of dancing. They tell 
 me that when people dance they have partners, J 
 and David had no partner ; his wife was much 
 displeased at his conduct, which she would not 
 have been, had he been accustomed to dance. 
 The truth, I believe, is, that David merely 
 jumped from ecstacy; and it is one of those 
 instances of intense exultation, recorded be- 
 cause of its extraordinary character, and not as 
 prescribing an example to others. 
 
 Cornelia. Do you think, then, Catharine, 
 that the Scriptures give no sanction to the prac- 
 tice of dancing ? 
 
 9 
 
 \ 
 
98 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 i 
 
 Catharine. They do not sanction it ; but 1 
 think reprehend it ; showing its pernicious 
 effects. This is particularly the case in the 
 cruel murder cf J ohn the Baptist. That faith- 
 ful reprover of wrong had rebuked Herod and 
 Herodias, for their sin, so that Herodias desired • 
 his death, " and would have killed him." This 
 she was not able to accomplish until an occasion 
 presented in the excitement of the dance. In 
 such an hour, Herod crushed all the good im- 
 pressions made by the preaching of John, and 
 in that hour of levity and dance John's death 
 was determined. Such was the dreadful fruit 
 of a pleasure the most exciting — a pleasure 
 which infatuates its votaries, and fills the young 
 heart with the most extravagant gayety. 
 
 Cornelia. But it is a common amusement 
 among most nations. How can it be that a 
 pr^tice, in itself so evil, can be so commonly , 
 encouraged ? 
 
 Catharine. Those nations which adopt it, do 
 not always engage in it as an amusement. Pa- 
 gan and savage nations adopt it in the inflic- 
 tions of their cruelties. Savages have their 
 war-dances ; they dance around their captives 
 when they doom them to death by burning ; and 
 dance and yell amid the fierceness of thunder- 
 storms. The Romans thought dancing con-\ 
 temptible. Its practice among ancient nations 
 
DIALOGUES BY GIRLS. 9& 
 
 was attended by such irrational and cruel ex- 
 citements that no civilized people should desire 
 to imitate them, 
 
 Cornelia. You have brought many instances 
 to view, Catharine, and have presented such 
 considerations to my mind, that I no longer am 
 surprised that you think as you do ; and I now 
 see that my tender mother has been governed 
 by the kindest feelings toward me, by denying 
 me the privilege of attending a ball. 
 
 Catharine. It was, indeed, for your good, 
 Cornelia. We are young and inexperienced, 
 and it is well that we have those to watch over 
 us who are wise to discern the danger to which 
 our young hearts are exposed ; and happy are 
 those who, like you, my dear Cornelia, have a 
 mother of sufficient decision to refuse to a child 
 a gratification which, however pleasing to the 
 unreflecting, is looked upon by the good find 
 virtuous as corrupting and pernicious. Let us, 
 in the feebleness of childhood, cleave to the 
 paths of our Saviour, who, as our Shepherd, 
 will screen us from the evils to which our im- 
 perfect judgment would expose us. Let us, in 
 love for our Sabbath school, cherish the sacred 
 instructions which we .there receive. Thus shar 
 ing the Divine protection we may sing, 
 
 [Here let all the school sing,] 
 
100 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKEB. 
 
 * Jesus, great Shepherd of the sheep^ 
 To thee for help we fly ; 
 Thy little flock in safety keep, 
 For, oh ! the wolf is nigh ! 
 
 Us into thy protection take, 
 And gather with thine arm, 
 
 Unless the fold we first forsake, 
 The wolf can never harm. 
 
 Together let us sweetly live, 
 
 Together let us die, 
 And each a starry crown receive 
 
 And reign above the sky." 
 
DIALOGUE BY GIRLS 
 
 CHSISTMAS. 
 
 [Though adapted particularly to Christmas day, this iialogui 
 may be spoken upon any occasion.] 
 
 Susan. 
 
 G: :o nornin;:. Jane ! pray have you time to 
 stay, 
 
 And wish a friend a happy Christmas day ? 
 Jane. 
 
 Yes — Susan, yes : and glad I am we meet, 
 And can each other on a Christinas greet. 
 Susan. 
 
 And I am glad ; and should it not offend, 
 I'll put a question to my youthful friend ; 
 Why do the people call this Christmas day, 
 And meet at Church, to render praise, and pray? 
 Jane. 
 
 Why, I will tell you ; 'twas on Christmas morn, 
 That man's Redeemer, Christ the Lord, was born; 
 In Judah's land — in David's city too, 
 Nearly, I think, two thousand years ago. 
 Susan* 
 
 What glory shone, when he, the Lord, appear'd, 
 And thrones of earth his power must have fear'd. 
 
 9* 101 
 
IV4 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 How did he come ? Did thunder shake the sky ? 
 And did his throne appear to mortal eye ? 
 The Prince of heaven was surely Prince of men, 
 And mankind trembled when the Lord was seen. 
 Jane. 
 
 No ! Susan, no ! an humble babe he was ; 
 Humble in birth, as humble on the cross, 
 Although he came a guilty world to save,— 
 
 To bear their sins — to sanctify the grave, 
 
 He came in flesh, to suffer and to die, 
 And veil'd his glory from the human eye. 
 Angels, 'tis true, proclaim'd with joy his name, 
 To do him honour, eastern sages came, 
 And Shepherds too fell at his feet in prayer, 
 And Simeon own'd that Israel's hope was there. 
 Susan. 
 
 Yes, I remember. In his word we find, 
 That J esus was a little child and kind, 
 And as in years the lovely Saviour grew, 
 He grew in knowledge and in favour too. 
 Jane. 
 
 What an example ! And whakwond'rous love, 
 To leave the glory of the world above ! 
 To come to man— so full of truth and grace, 
 And make this earth awhile his dwelling place. 
 Ofttimes to- thirst— to hunger too for bread— 
 i And oft to know not where to lay his head ; 
 The Lord of Life — whom highest angels greet, 
 And cast their crowns obedient at his feet. 
 
 # 
 
DIALOGUES BY GIRLS. 108 
 
 •Susan. 
 
 Their crowns ! dear Jane, and what's a crown, 
 pray tell ? 
 
 I've heard of crowns since first I learn'd to spell, 
 I know, of crowns, in many a book I've read, 
 And, if I'm right, they wear them on the head ; 
 But tell me whether all who please may wear a 
 crown, 
 
 And if each chili might such a treasure own ? 
 Jane. 
 
 The crowns of earth are worn by those alone, 
 Who have dominion, and possess a throne. 
 They're made of gold, and gemm'd with jewels 
 rare, 
 
 And all the splendour that a prince can wear. 
 The Saviour's crown, of pointed thorns was 
 made, 
 
 That pierc'd the temples of his bleeding head. 
 Fit emblem that, of every earthly crown, 
 Though by the honour' d and the mighty worn. 
 All crowns have thorns to pierce the wearer's 
 brow, 
 
 And grief and pain must princes ever know, 
 But heaven's crowns, are crowns of righteous- 
 ness, 
 
 By saints and angels worn in holiest peace. 
 Such crowns, dear Susan, you and I may wear 9 
 And yonder kingdom, with the righteous share* 
 
104 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER 
 
 But tell me, Susan, Lad you now a crown 
 Of purest gold— and jewel' d— all your own, 
 What would you do with such a treasure, dear, 
 Would you delight the glittering thing to wear f 
 
 Samuel. [Rising up, and saying aloud,] 
 What would she do ? Why just as I or you. 
 Had I a crown, I'll tell you what I'd jdo ; 
 I would not wear it — no, not I indeed, 
 I'd be asham'd to have it on my head. 
 I'd sell it— gold and jewels, all I'd sell — 
 The sum I'd get would suit me just as well, 
 Then I'd keep Christmas with a host of toys, 
 And have enough to give to all these boys. 
 
 Joseph. [Rising up, and saying aloud,] 
 Sell it, Samuel ! I'd do no such thing, — 
 I'd put it on my head, and be a king ! 
 . Susan. 
 
 Had I a crown, dear J ane, did you inquire ? 
 The question fills my bosom with desire ! 
 No crown of gold should my young brow adorn, 
 I'd think of Him whose crown was made of thorns, 
 Though king of heaven', to earth, so poor he came, 
 That earth scarce knew him, or confess'd hia 
 name. 
 
 Had I a crown, dear Jane, with joy I'd haste, 
 To lay that crown with all that I possess'd — • 
 Yes, as the angels, when in heaven they meet, 
 Fd cast that crown with joy at Jesus' feet! 
 
DIALOGUES BY GIRljS. 105 
 
 [Here let all the children unite in singing the following verse 
 This, to have its effect, must follow up quick, without a mo- 
 ment's pause, the dialogue.] 
 
 "All hail the power of Jesus' name, 
 Let angels prostrate fall ; 
 Bring forth the royal diadem, 
 And erown him Lord of all." 
 
 * 
 
DIALOGUE BY TWO SMALL BOYS, AND 
 ONE LARGE GIRL. 
 
 THE MOUNTAIN OF PRAYER. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 Say, is it not lovely when summer-sun shines, 
 And the fields are all dress'd in rich green, 
 
 To wander away, on some hill to recline, 
 And gaze on the beautiful scene ? 
 David. 
 
 0 yes ! it is pleasant ; I know it is so, 
 Such scenes I've delighted to share ; . 
 
 But landscapes there are, of a lovelier glow, 
 Which are seen from the mountain of prayer, 
 Stephen. 
 
 What landscapes are those, and how are they 
 seen, 
 
 Have they fountains, and forests, and flowers ? 
 Have they bowers of beauty, and meadows of 
 green, 
 
 Are those landscapes as lovely as ours ? 
 David. 
 
 0 yes ! 'tis a land where the sun never sets, 
 Where the hills are ne'er cover'd with snow, 
 106 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 10? 
 
 Where the dew-drop ne'er falls like a tesS of 
 
 regret, 
 
 Where blossoms, the tempests ne'er know. 
 'Tis the land of the blest, where the Lord hath 
 his throne, 
 
 And the souls of the just shall live there, 
 A land where the good an inheritance own, 
 
 And 'tis seen from the mountain of prayer. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 Say, who are the people who dwell in that realm, 
 Where the night ne'er obtrudes on the day, 
 
 Where the sky is all bright and the air ever calm, 
 Do the people aught know of decay ? 
 
 • David. 
 
 The infant is there, but with vigour of mind,— 
 
 The aged their youth have renew'd, — 
 Of every age, the redeem'd of mankind — • 
 The wise — and the humble — and good. 
 The old, infirm, and bending, 
 
 No more the staff shall need — 
 The heart with sorrow rending, 
 
 From every care is freed. 
 No fortune there is wrested; 
 
 No health shall ever fade ; 
 No love that fails when tested, 
 That land shall e'er invade» 
 
 There are no graves in heaven- 
 No mother's broken heart, 
 
108 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER- 
 
 o whom a child was given, 
 To love awhile, and part. 
 But there the child and mother, 
 
 Who parted here in pain, 
 Shall meet and love each other, 
 When the dead shall live again, 
 Stephen* 
 
 0 yes ! I know ; 'tis this world on high, 
 More beautiful far than a sun-set sky ; 
 And the prayer of pure faith may its glories 
 behold, 
 
 Its gardens of beauty — its streamlets of gold. 
 
 Let us learn, 'mid a world full of grief as is this, 
 To fix our firm trust in the world full of bliss, 
 And if, when we die, its lov'd joys we would 
 
 share, 
 
 Let us walk in the way, o'er the mountain of 
 Prayer. 
 
 But who will come to guide us, 
 
 While our spirits journey there ? 
 Tor a wilderness divides us, 
 
 From the holy mount of Prayer. 
 David. 
 
 The God who shields the raven, 
 When the storm is raging high ; 
 
 Or deigns, so high in heaven, 
 To hear the sparrow's cryj 
 
DIALOGUES BY BOYS. 
 
 109 
 
 i3'en lie who guides the sparrow, 
 Will teach our steps to tread ; 
 
 And though the path be narrow, 
 A light divine he'll shed. 
 
 [Here let a girl, much larger than the boys, approach toward 
 them, upon the platform, having a Bible in her hand, and 
 repeat,] 
 
 Would'st thou walk in the way to which wisdom 
 invites, 
 
 And dwell in the land of eternal delights, 
 Take the Bible, dear children, betimes let it be, 
 Like the star in the east, shedding light over 
 thee. 
 
 'Twill guide thee where Jesus the Saviour is 
 found ; * 
 
 Where the light of His mercy is breaking around, 
 Its promise may cheer thee when storms may 
 enshroud, 
 
 And smile o'er thy path, like the bow on the 
 cloud. 
 
 'Twill guide like the pillar to Israel that came, 
 And hung o'er their path like a glorious flame. 
 'Twill feed thee with manna that angels shall 
 give, 
 
 And prove that by bread man alone cannot live. 
 'Tis a spring in the desert all barren and drear, 
 Whose streams flow in fulness the thirsty to cheer, 
 
 10 
 
110 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 'Ti^le cleft in the rock where the soul dwells 
 
 secure, 
 
 While God passes by in his glory and power. 
 'Tis the bush where he dwells, 'mid the undying 
 flame, 
 
 And speaks from its glory, " I AM" is my name. 
 'Tis a staff to the feeble — a guide to the young, 
 The bow of the mighty— the shield of the strong. 
 'Tis the crook of the shepherd, who leadeth on 
 
 Beside the still waters— in fields of the sky. 
 
 Take the Bible ! dear children, your guide le4; 
 it be, 
 
 In the light of His Spirit, its truth you shall see. 
 When seeking the life, and the truth, and the 
 way, 
 
 Would'st thou walk in the path shining bright 
 
 as mid-day, ■ 
 In hours of devotion, thy Bible be there,— 
 The Shekinah of God, in the Mountain of Prayer, 
 
I 
 
 DIALOGUE BY GIRLS. 
 
 THE KESURRECTION. 
 [To be spoken on any occasion.] 
 
 Matilda, 
 
 'Tis Easter day !— that day which Heaveh gave, 
 When Christ arose in triumph from the grave ; 
 When we who share that Saviour's wondrous 
 
 grace, ' ^ 
 
 Mingle wi4h rapture in this holy place. 
 Sarah. 
 
 But sure Matilda, 'tis a mystery great. 
 How he could break that firm and mighty gate, 
 Which long enclosed the many, many dead, 
 When dire corruption long its terror spread 
 Matilda. 
 
 True, Sarah ; but to Heaven lift thine eyes, 
 Behold the sun, or stars, that 'lume the skies, 
 And is it not a mystery to thy sight, 
 How comes that sun to banish gloomy night ? 
 Sarah. 
 
 It is indeed ! but not by far so deep 
 As that which bids the dead forsake their sleep, 
 To think that what in dust should fade and die, 
 Should rise in beauty, and ascend the sky. 
 
 in 
 
112 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 And why to us should that so wondrous seem, 
 When we conceive the mighty power of Him 
 By whom 'tis wrought ? His power at first, 
 Gave us our being — framed us from the dust ; 
 From nothing He this mighty structure reared,- 
 And spake His Glory when the world appeared ; 
 If He at first gave form and life to all 
 Who dwell in Heaven, or on this nether ball, 
 If to yon stars He gave their glorious flame, 
 If from His power all nature's beauties came, 
 Is it so strange when mortal frames decay, 
 That He whose power, both life and death obey, 
 Should bid those frames from death again arise 
 In structure new, and fashioned for the skies. 
 Sarah. 
 
 'Tis true, that He whose fiat nature owns, 
 Whose throne in Glory is the throne of thrones, 
 Can bid the dead to life again awake, 
 And forms of beauty in an instant take ; 
 But still 'tis mystery dread, a deep profound ; 
 A sea of wonder, where all thought is drowned. 
 Matilda. 
 
 A mystery, Sarah ! be it so, what then, 
 Let me intreat you, turn your thoughts again 
 To nature : here in every thing we view, 
 From globes of brightness, e'en to drops of dew, 
 All these are deep beyond thy power to S€an ? 
 Or to be fathomed by the wisest man ; 
 
DIALOGUES BY GIRLS. HJj 
 
 Is it not strange that when the summer aBrers^ 
 Spread their rich hues through every lovely 
 bower, 
 
 When green and soft, the varied landscapes 
 spread, 
 
 And fruit and flowers their ripening fragrance 
 shed, 
 
 When birds, whose plumes vie with the flowerets 
 fair, 
 
 Blending their music with the fragrant air, 
 Now shake the blossom with their velvet wing, 
 And 'mid unnumbered sweets delighted sing. 
 Is it not strange that these must all decay — 
 A summer live, then droop, and pass away — 
 Winter like death invades the lovely scene, 
 And binds the beauties with a conqueror's chain. 
 The flowers must weep — the seared leaf must 
 die, 
 
 While winds may moan and pensive autumn sigh, 
 Far, far around the waste of death must spread, 
 Till drooping beauties feel the mighty tread, 
 Of him who comes, stern winter, in whose gloom 
 The summer glories find an icy tomb ; 
 But short his reign, for in their crumbling dust, 
 A seed remains that gave them life at first ; 
 In weakness sown— in power it shall come, 
 In vileness stricken, but in beauty's form 
 It shall appear, and though corruption's breath, 
 Blighted its verdure in the crush of death, 
 
 10* 
 
114 •SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 StilflRall it rise, in glory new and bright, 
 
 When hoary winter vanishes from sight; 
 Thus shall the dead arise, tho' long their sleep, 
 Tho' o'er the valley many long may weep, 
 Tho' yearning hearts o'er the dread scene may 
 grieve, 
 
 And cry, 0 heaven ! shall these dry bones live ? 
 The Spirit's power shall sweep the dreadful 
 gloom, 
 
 The voice of God shall pierce the rending tomb, 
 And death shall fly— as from the trembling skies, 
 The Son of God shall bid the dead arise ! 
 May we so live, that when that sacred hour, 
 Shall take from death his triumph and his power, 
 We may awake in righteousness and peace, 
 And join the ransomed whose delights ne'er 
 cease. 
 
I 
 
 PART V 
 
 RECITATIONS BY BOYS. 
 
 RECITATION BY A BOY. 
 
 A VOICE FROM THE TOWERS OF ZIOtf. 
 
 L£Jy by the light which ancient prophets knew, 
 When Zion's glory broke upon their view, 
 I venture forth to fix the wondering sight, 
 On domes and turrets merging from the night, 
 As when the dawn sheds down her roseate smile, 
 To call from rest the honest sons of toil. 
 Far up the hill eternal, glorious Zion stands, 
 Her light resplendent beaming o'er each land. 
 To see that glory wise men come from far, 
 And hail with joy Messiah's promis'd star. 
 Zion ! great city ! dwelling place of God, 
 Within whose courts the dread Shekinah glow'd, 
 When 'neath the wing of golden cherubim, 
 Mysterious glory told the abode of Him, 
 
 117 
 
118 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Wh^§twells 021 earth the « King of Kings' 9 con. 
 fest, 
 
 Who said of Zion, " This shall be my rest." 
 Her towers, high rear'd in grandeur toward the 
 sky, 
 
 Have held with rapture my admiring eye. 
 Mark ye her bulwarks, which unhurt have stood, 
 Nor felt the ruin of the direst flood, 
 With thrilling heart her palaces I scan, 
 f he care of angels and the joy of man. 
 Since Time first breath' d the air of Eden's vale, 
 And spread his pinion to the infant gale : 
 Or first the sun rejoic'd his course to run, 
 And stepp'd in glory from his eastern throne, 
 Ne'er — ne'er hath stood a city so secure, 
 Each wall salvation,— every bulwark sure. 
 Though cities perish in the mighty flame, 
 Although forgotten e'en their once proud naice — 
 Though Tyre and Sidon in one common wo, 
 Abas' d with Babylon, no help shall know — 
 Though Rome's great glory in oblivion sleep, 
 And cloth'd in ashes mighty Pompeii weep, — 
 Yet standeth Zion in her pristine joy, 
 No fire can harm — no earthquake e'er destroy ; 
 E'er shall she stand, as through all time she 
 stood, 
 
 A crown of glory in the hand of God. 
 Her light, her laws, shall every nation bless, 
 And earth, shall gladden in the reign of peace. 
 
RECITATIONS BY BOYS. 119 
 
 Europea's altars show a brighter flame, IPt 
 And guild her honours to the lofty name. 
 For forms and rites the Spirit's power is giv'n, 
 And superstition flies the light of heaven. 
 
 Where Asia's tribes in deepest darkness dwell, 
 With scarce one voice the Saviour's love to tell- 
 Where funeral flames on scenes of terror break, 
 And mercy shudders at the widow's shriek, — 
 A wide Golgotha o'er a nation spreads, 
 Nor human eye can scan the many dead ; 
 Here— here, at length the steps of him are seen, 
 Who flies the herald of salvation's plan. 
 
 Lo ! China, yields ! Unfolds her hoary gates, 
 And seeks instruction at Messiah's feet. 
 Haste! Christians, help, for Asia's "light is 
 come," 
 
 A light to gladden every Hindoo home ; 
 
 Press we the prayer— our hearts and hands unite, 
 
 Till Asia rises in our Prince's light. 
 
 Though clouds awhile surround the promise-star, 
 Which spreads a smile on Afric's coast afar, 
 Yet still we trust those clouds shall pass away, 
 And Afric triumph in a happier day. 
 Sink not our hearts— behold our altars there, 
 The Ethiop blending in the white man's prayer, 
 The graves of martyrs seal Liberia's soil, 
 "Nor yield we Afric though a thousand fall." 
 
120 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 See^Where the Indian from the distant lake, 
 Whose whoop could once a nation's fears awake- 
 Now comes to seek him in the house of prayer, 
 And tell of tribes who worship Jesus, there. 
 Nor from the distant north alone they come, 
 But from the tribes who in the " far-west' 5 roam; 
 From Rocky Mountains to Pacific's shores, 
 Where not one tribe the Son of God adores :— 
 Behold they come ! — The Flat-Head herald-few, 
 To know of God — the Bible — Jesus too. 
 The early fruits of fullest harvest they, 
 Of fields that glisten in the opening day. 
 The fields are great — the labourers still are few; 
 Ask God, 0 Christian, what he'd have thee do ! 
 From Oregon they seek our very door, 
 Seek — ask — yea, knock; — the tribes our help 
 implore. 
 
 Shut ye your hearts ? 0 Christians, tell me, tell, 
 How in that heart the love of God can dwell ! 
 If we love not our brother, whom we see, 
 Vain, vain the love, 0 Lord, we name to thee. 
 Wake then, 0 Zion ! for the harvest 's great ; 
 Crowd with your gifts our every altar-gate ; — 
 "Lord of the harvest," hear thy people pray: 
 0 send forth labourers in this glorious day. 
 We'll pray — we'll act — to this our vows be given, 
 Till earth rejoices in the song of heaven. 
 
RECITATION BY A BOY 
 
 NEW-YEAR. 
 
 Another New- Year's day has come,, 
 Reminding us of those now fled, 
 
 And I would fain survey the tomb, 
 In holding converse with the dead. 
 
 The dead — the righteous dead, 'tis mine, 
 To urge the living ne'er forget, 
 
 Whose names embalm'd in memory's shrine 
 Live with their glorious doings yet. 
 
 No distant land shall hold my eye, 
 To bid my thoughts in rapture wake, 
 
 My country to my heart is nigh, 
 On her I see a glory break. 
 
 The breeze that fans the forest pine, 
 Takes up the hamlet-worship song ; 
 
 The Indian feels the joy divine, 
 And mingles in our Zion's throng. 
 
 The village bell — the city spire, 
 Denote the altars God has rear'd, 
 
 Where glow ten thousand holy fires, 
 And millions own that God is fear'd. 
 
 11 121 
 
122 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Long live the memory of those men, 
 Who rear'd the gospel banner here, 
 
 Whose toils of love were not in vain, 
 Whose fruits of love this day appear. 
 
 While o'er Pacific rolls a wave, 
 Or Ceylon feels a Saviour's grace, 
 
 His name shall live whose only grave 
 Is in the ocean's funeral place. 
 
 The holy Coke, who sought our land, 
 And preach'd the gospel's tidings here, 
 
 One of the pure and generous band, 
 His name to Zion ever dear. 
 
 And Asbury, we all confess, 
 
 Among that band of burning lights ; 
 
 Ages to come thy name shall bless, 
 And hold thee e'er in mjemory bright 
 
RECITATION BY A BOY 
 
 WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS. 
 
 A YOUTHFUL band ! with joy-inspiring cheer, 
 We hail the day which saw the Lord appear. 
 We lift our praise to Him who reigns above, 
 Who through each year protects us with His love. 
 These youthful hearts their grateful tribute 
 bring, 
 
 To hail the Saviour — heaven's eternal King. 
 
 'Tis His pure love that prompts the joyful strain, 
 The lovely anthem sounding wide his name ; 
 Here in His worship blend our hearts in peace, 
 In hope of heaven when this life shall cease ; 
 Then hail the day that saw his star arise, 
 When angel-music chanted from the skies. 
 
 The wise men saw that star illume the east, 
 When holy rapture moved their grateful breasts ; 
 The shepherds sought him ere the light of morn, 
 And Bethlehem sung, Behold a Saviour 's born ! 
 Let children hail the day that gave him birth, 
 Till He is prais'd by all the songs of earth. 
 
 123 
 
RECITATION BY A BOY. 
 
 THE CENTENARY OF METHODISM. 
 
 Farewell age of glory ! Though passing away, 
 Where ages are lost in eternity's day, 
 We cannot behold thee recede from our sight, 
 Till we own thou hast crown'd us with mercy 
 and light. 
 
 Thy doings shall live when thy years are no 
 more, 
 
 And ages to come shall thy glory adore. 
 Philanthropy blends in our anthems to thee, 
 And Patriots own 'twas thy spirit to free. 
 O'er fields of fell darkness thy light broke in 
 peace, 
 
 And millions rejoic'd in thy years of release. 
 Thy blessings shall live in the mem'ry of earth, 
 And ages acknowledge thy mercy and worth. 
 Remember'd and honour'd their names shall 
 remain, 
 
 Whose lives were devoted in blessings to man ; 
 While Luther and Calvin admir'd shall be, 
 Who taught haughty prelates that conscience 
 
 was free ; 
 
 124 
 
\ 
 
 RECITATIONS BY BOYS. 125 
 
 While Wickliffe, and Cranmer, and Rogers 
 the pure, 
 
 Who found 'mid the fire, their faith could endure: 
 While the righteous shall live in earth's memory 
 young, 
 
 One name to the annals of time shall belong : 
 While the praise of the worthy each name shall 
 receive, 
 
 The name of our Wesley through ages shall 
 
 11* 
 
RECITATION BY A BOY. 
 
 GOD PRAISED BY HIS WORKS. 
 
 Creation's wonders wide proclaim, 
 
 Thy glorious power, Lord, 
 And we, though young, would lisp thy name, 
 
 Encouraged by thy word. 
 
 The golden orb that lights the day, 
 
 Thy loftier glory shows, 
 And stars may yield an humble ray 
 
 To speak thy glory too. 
 
 Thus, while the aged own thy love, 
 
 And pay their vows to thee, 
 We children feel our bosoms move, 
 
 To praise thy me^cy free. 
 
 'Twas mercy reign'd when God appear'd, 
 
 Veil'd in our nature's form ; 
 'Twas mercy smil'd on children dear, 
 
 And led them to thine arms. 
 
 And sure thy mercy form'd the school, 
 
 Where we thy Sabbaths spend, 
 Where thou dost smile — where thou dost rule, 
 
 The child's unchanging friend. 
 126 
 
RECITATIONS BY BOYS. 
 
 Thy mercy taught those hearts to pray, 
 And guide our youthful minds, 
 
 Where we may learn thy pleasant ways, 
 And wisdom's treasures find. 
 
 0 may thy mercy ever bless 
 
 Our parents — teachers — friends — 
 
 The Sabbath ever yield them rest, 
 And peace their days attend. 
 
 May they with us, when life shall close, 
 Tell thy great mercy given ; 
 
 When in the grave our forms repose, 
 0 may we meet in heaven ! 
 
MOXODT 
 
 ON THE DEATH ©F REV. MELVILLE B. COX, MIS- 
 SIONARY TO LIBERIA. 
 
 [Whose words, in vie?? of the probability of his dying in Africa, 
 were, " Let thousands fall before Africa be given up."] 
 
 [To be spoken by a Boy.] 
 
 0 weep. Salem weep ! o'er the darkness en- 
 shrouding, 
 
 The land where thy herald so lately displayed 
 The pennant of peace, while the tribes gladly 
 crowding, 
 
 Beheld the bright day-star that dawn'd on 
 their shade. 
 
 Weep, Salem weep ! while the ocean-wave 
 
 heaving, 
 
 Conues freighted with moaning from Africa's 
 shore, 
 
 The parents and children their hamlets are 
 leaving, 
 
 To weep that the white man who lov'd them'a 
 no more. 
 128 
 
RECITATIONS BY BOYS. 
 
 129 
 
 From the home of his youth, — from the land of 
 his love, 
 
 To the place of the stranger he fearlessly sped, 
 By the pure love of heaven his bosom was moved, 
 And his mission bore life to the dark and the 
 dead. 
 
 Thou land long in sorrow, to thee he convey'd 
 The pledge of the pious, the learned and 
 free ; 
 
 On thine altars the word of our promise is laid, 
 And his life was the seal of our covenant 
 with thee. 
 
 His voice in thy temple, Liberia, was heard, 
 When his heart burn'd to publish the year of 
 release, 
 
 To gather the tribes round the cross of his Lord, 
 And bid them rejoice in the tidings of peace. 
 
 Where the palm-leaf is fann'd by the wind's 
 passing breath, 
 Where the stream gently washes its gold- 
 cover'd bed, 
 He wept o'er the Negro, most injur'd of earth, 
 And heaven hath number'd the tears that 
 he shed. 
 
 He comes not to us with the faith-stirring story, 
 Nor tells of thy white fields for harvest pre* 
 pared, 
 
130 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 But dropping the mantle he rises to glory, 
 To tell of thy groanings, where groanings are 
 heard. 
 
 Though his frame is far hence, 'yond the dark 
 rolling wave, 
 Where the tread of the white man but seldom 
 shall come ; 
 
 Yet oft shall her children encompass his grave, 
 And Africa dwell on his memory long. 
 
 We will weep_we will weep— for we know that 
 he lov'd, 
 
 "All nations, and kindred, and people' ' were 
 dear ; 
 
 And oft when compassion his bosom has moved, 
 His cheek was impearl'd with humanity's tear. 
 
 We will weep— we will weep— tho' we know that 
 his spirit, 
 
 Hath enter'd that world where the martyrs 
 have gone, 
 
 To share in the glory which martyrs inherit, 
 Where, honour'd of Jesus, they dwell near hia 
 throne. 
 
FAREWELL TO THE MISSIONARIES, 
 
 BY A BOY. 
 
 Go ! heralds of Jesus ! we bid tliee farewell ! 
 
 No longer from Afric would hold thee away ; 
 Her hands are extended— in tears she would tell 
 
 Her hope in thy coming — her sorrow to stay. 
 
 Go ! heralds of Jesus ! whom still we would love, 
 Go ! go ! to the people in darkness who sit, 
 
 Our kindness a savour of mourning would prove, 
 To hold thee from Afric, or part with regret. 
 
 Go ! heralds of J esus ! with light from the Lord, 
 To shine on the regions of sorrow and d.eath, 
 God guide thee — and speed thee— when bearing 
 his word, 
 
 And gild with his glory the length of thy path. 
 
 Go ! heralds of Jesus ! Farewell we must say, 
 Our prayers we here pledge to the land of thy 
 heart, 
 
 We'll meet when thy crown shall be bright in 
 that day, 
 
 When the friends of the Saviour meet never to 
 part. 
 
 131 
 
RECITATION BY A BOY. 
 
 TRIUMPH OF TEMPERANCE. 
 
 Exult with joy, 0 earth ! 
 
 For God hath heard thy cry ; 
 A glorious day hath birth, 
 Its star is on the sky : 
 Though long thy night, and deep its gloom, 
 Arise — arise — thy light has come ! 
 
 m 
 
 Amid the storm of wrath, 
 
 When ruin's deluge reign'd, 
 He saw the direful death, 
 And bade the ruin end ; 
 Deliverance came — the ark was rear'd, 
 And o'er the flood the bow appear'd. 
 
 What though that foe is strong ? 
 
 E'en "legion" his dread name? 
 Though of the wrathful throng, 
 His is the loftiest fame ? 
 Thy help descends from yonder throne, 
 And victory is the Lord's alone ! 
 132 
 
BECITATIONS BY BOYS. 181 
 
 'Twas God who saw thy fears, 
 
 Who heard thy thousands sigh — 
 When thou, abas'd in tears, 
 
 Scarce hop'd that help was nigh, 
 He dash'd the cup that hell had given, 
 And show'd the crystal fount of heaven 
 
 Thine, Lord ! is all the power, 
 
 Far may thy conquests spread, 
 The demon reign no more, 
 
 When thou shalt bruise his head ; 
 The world renew'd to thee shall come, 
 And all rejoice in Eden's bloom. 
 
RECITATION BY A GIRL. 
 
 CONTEMPLATION ON THE WORKS OF GOB. 
 
 I love the morn's first light to view, 
 
 When evening shades are driven ; 
 I love the glistening drops of dew, 
 
 They seem the tears of heaven ; 
 That morning tells a brighter day, 
 
 Shall soon be brought to light, 
 When tears shall all be wiped away, 
 
 By Him who rules aright. 
 
 I love to view yon flaming sun, 
 
 The night and clouds drive far, 
 Rejoicing in his course to run, 
 
 « The bright and morning star ;" 
 He shows the way of Him who rules, 
 
 Though oft in clouds enthron'd, 
 Where righteousness and judgment dwell, 
 
 And God i3 fully known. 
 
 I love, amid the calm of night, 
 
 T' admire yon arch of blue ; 
 In the expanse that bounds the sight, 
 
 The starry-vale to view, 
 
 134 
 
KECITATIONS. 
 
 135 
 
 They show that on the deeper gloom, 
 Where death his curtain spreads, 
 
 A starry light breaks on the tomb, 
 To watch the sleeping dead, 
 
 What gives the stars that tranquil light, 
 
 In which they love to glow ? 
 The sun himself hath sunk in night, 
 
 That radiant host to show. 
 Thus sunk the Sun of righteousness, 
 
 That man might be forgiven, 
 He 'lumes, while saints have spread his grac&, 
 
 The hemisphere of heaveji. 
 
 Thy word — thy Spirit— and thy works, 
 
 Thine attributes declare ; 
 And while thy hand all nature marks, 
 
 May I thy image bear. 
 Then when these things shall be dissolv'd,™ 
 
 The world have passed away, — 
 When sun and stars no more revolve— 
 
 Thy glory be my day ! 
 
PART VI. 
 
 RECITATIONS BY SMALL BOYS. 
 
 RECITATION BY A SMALL BOY. 
 
 HOPE OF HEAVEN. 
 
 God's works proclaim His power and love, 
 Through earth, and sea, and sky? 
 
 He rules in angel-hosts above, 
 Yet hears the raven's cry. 
 
 Around us all his arms are spread, 
 'Tis through his grace we live ; 
 
 0 may He here his Spirit shed, 
 To all his blessings give. 
 
 While many here his grace have tried, 
 
 I too would lisp his name, 
 Would point to Jesus crucified, 
 
 And say, " Behold the Lamb." 
 
 139 
 
140 SUN1>AY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Then when our earthly days are o'er, 
 And Sabbath schools shall end, 
 
 May we before yon throne adore, 
 The child's eternal friend. 
 
 0 may I meet my parents there, 
 
 And my dear teaehers too, 
 With all who love the place of prayey, 
 
 And — children — all of you. 
 
 V 
 
RECITATION BY A VERY SMALL BOY. 
 
 THE GREAT ORATOR. 
 
 Although Tm not so big nor old, 
 
 As many boys I see, 
 Yet it will take a boy who 's bold, 
 
 To speak a piece, like me, 
 
 I'll make my bow, and wave my hand, 
 
 And then begin my speech ; 
 But you must watch to understand, 
 
 Be still — or I can't preach ! 
 
 The ocean in its grandeur flows — 
 
 The trees are great and tall — 
 The mighty earth is round, you know, 
 
 Just like my little ball. 
 
 The stars shine out, when clouds allow ■* 
 
 The horses love to run — 
 And now I'll make my little bow, 
 
 And say my speech is done I 
 
 141 
 
RECITATION BY A VERY SMALL BOY, 
 
 LITTLE SAMUEL. 
 
 0 what a good and lovely boy, 
 
 Was little Samuel, true ; 
 And great was Hannah's holy joy, 
 
 Her lovely son to view. 
 
 Through day and night his mind's first care, 
 
 Was fix'd upon the Lord, 
 And oft he went in faith and prayer, 
 
 To hear his Maker's word. 
 
 In the lone hour of silent night, 
 
 When sleep to others came, 
 No darkness could his heart affright, 
 
 His shield, Jehovah's name. 
 
 And when he heard his Maker's call, 
 
 His heart was not afraid : 
 He 'rose and went to Eli's hall, 
 
 To tell what he had heard. 
 
 0 may each little boy now here, 
 
 Be like young Samuel, mild ; 
 And early taught his Maker's fear, 
 
 Each be a prayerful child. 
 142 
 
RECITATION BY A VERY SMALL BOY. 
 
 THE LITTLE TRAVELIER. 
 
 0 how I love to ride, in a rail-road car, 
 
 With horses or with steam I go, and never mind 
 how far. 
 
 1 love to see the long — long road, while far 
 
 ahead I look, 
 And often turn around, to see the geese upon 
 the brook ; 
 
 While all along the lovely fields, the pretty 
 sheep are seen, 
 
 Some sporting by their mother's side, some rest- 
 ing on the green, 
 
 I love to see the little squirrel, that hops upon 
 the tree, 
 
 And listen to the little bird, that sweetly sings 
 for me ; 
 
 I love to see the steamboat go, while on the 
 
 shore I stand, 
 Nor ever fear that I will fall, while father holds 
 
 my hand. 
 
 I love to see the cloud of smoke, that rises to 
 the sky, 
 
 And listen to the water-wheels, while 'round and 
 'round they fly ; 
 
 143 
 
144 SOTDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 I love, when I am through my walk, and I hare 
 had my tea, 
 
 To say my little evening prayer, when bowed 
 
 upon my knee : 
 And then I go to bed to rest, beneath my 
 
 Saviour's care, 
 For when I sleep or when I wake, I know that 
 
 God is near. 
 
PART VII. 
 
 / 
 
 RECITATIONS BY SMALL GIKLS. . 
 
 9 
 
 RECITATION BY A GIRL. 
 
 THE BIBLE. 
 
 The Bible ! Blest book, to my heart ever dear, 
 Thou shield of the spirit, when sorrow is near ; 
 Though the pleasures may fade which from earth 
 
 we receive, 
 The joys of thy giving, forever shall live. 
 
 The heart of sweet childhood, thy pleasures may 
 prove, 
 
 Like flowers of beauty in gardens of love ; 
 But earth's brightest flowers must all meet decay, 
 While religion shall bloom in eternity's day. 
 
 The steps of young childhood may bound o'er 
 the earth, 
 
 But those steps ever tend to the valley of death ; 
 When led by thy light o'er that valley we see, 
 The land from all sorrow and sin ever free. 
 
 147 
 
148 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Be thou, precious Bible ! the guide of our y*uth, 
 A shield of pure virtue— a helmet of truth ; 
 0 guide us, as Israel, to Canaan's abode, 
 A pillar of glory— the symbol of God 
 
RECITATION BY A GIRL. 
 
 / 
 
 THE BLIND GrIRL. 
 
 Dark clouds were spreading o'er the sky, 
 
 And cold the wind did blow, 
 A little girl came treading by, 
 
 And felt her way so slow. 
 
 I saw that she was wholly blind, 
 
 So wild her eye-balls glare, 
 And then she tried the door to find, 
 
 While I was standing there. 
 
 Her little cheeks were bright and red, 
 
 Her auburn curls were fair, 
 A little hood was o'er her head, 
 
 But Oh ! her feet were bare. 
 
 " Give me a cent," she said so mild, 
 " To buy my mother bread ;" 
 
 Said I, " where is your father, child ?" 
 She sighed, « my father's dead." 
 
 « My mother, she is sick and poor, 
 Two days we've had no food : 
 
 We've never ask'd for help before, 
 For mother's health was good." 
 
 13* 149 
 
150 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKEE. 
 
 Oh ! how I pitied that poor child, 
 So poor, and without sight ; 
 
 Her eye-balls roll'd so very wild, 
 And all her life a night. 
 
 I gave her all my little store 
 Of pennies, though but three, 
 
 And told her 1 would give her more, 
 Whene'er she came to me. 
 
 "Poor little girl !" said I to her, 
 " What sorrow you must know : 
 
 You never saw a flower fair, 
 Nor view'd a sun-set glow." 
 
 " Oh ! no !" she said, with gentle sigh 
 « These joys I never knew; 
 
 But in the world that's o'er the sky, 
 I'll see as well as you." 
 
 I thought how thankful should we oe, 
 To whom the Lord gives sight ; 
 
 Our friends and parents we can see, 
 And all the day is light. 
 
 J 
 
RECITATION BY A SMALL GIRL. 
 
 THE LAMBS OF JESUS. 
 
 'Tis Christmas day — a lovely day, 
 
 When little hearts like mine, 
 Would haste where Christians love to pray, 
 
 And in their worship join. 
 
 I'm little — and I'm very young, 
 
 But yet I know the Lord, 
 Will hear a little infant's song, 
 
 'Tis promis'd in his word. 
 
 The Lord is prais'd by yonder sun, 
 
 Who spreads his glory far ; 
 And so he's prais'd by every one 
 
 Of yon bright little stars. 
 
 I know from desk and altar too, 
 
 And by yon choir he's prais'd, 
 But me he'll hear as well as you, 
 
 Though feeble are my lays. 
 
 One Christmas morning, well you know, 
 
 Long — long before 'twas day, 
 When shepherds watch' d through cold and snoWj 
 
 To keep the wolves away. 
 
 151 
 
152 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Their sheep were many, yet I'm sure, 
 Their lambs were many too, 
 
 And children need a shepherd more 
 Than those who re strong like you. 
 
 Then come and view our Sunday school, 
 Where dwell his lambs in peace ; 
 
 And there He says, in gentle smiles, 
 " Of such my kingdom is." 
 
I 
 
 Pi 
 
 RECITATION BY A SMALL GIEL. 
 
 i ; 
 
 When J esus was a little child, 
 
 Not near so big as we, 
 The priest was glad, and calmly smil'd, 
 
 The harmless one to see. 
 
 And when a little larger grown, 
 
 He lov'd the place of prayer ; 
 And Mary cften took her son, 
 
 To praise and worship there. 
 
 Yea, when he grew to be a man, 
 
 And sat perhaps like you,* 
 The little children eager ran, 
 
 For they his mercy knew. 
 
 He bless'd them all, and kindly said, 
 
 0 suffer them to come, 
 And on his bosom gently laid 
 
 The feeble and the young. 
 
 And well I know, that Jesus still, 
 
 Delights the young to bless, 
 When they with praise his temple fill, 
 
 And here implore his grace. 
 
 * Pointing to the minister. 
 
 153 jl 
 
 *, 
 
RECITATION BY A SMALL GIRL. 
 
 FLOWERS— EMBLEMATIC OF CHILDHOOD. 
 
 0 ! how like a garden of beautiful flowers, 
 
 This throng of sweet children so fair, 
 And the church seems to me like a beautiful 
 bower, 
 
 All fragrant with singing and prayer. 
 
 One glows like the dahlia— some blush like the 
 
 rose. 
 
 Some fair as the lily so pure, 
 And all seem to smile as unconscious of wo, 
 • As if destin'd for e'er to endure. ' 
 
 Kind eyes now surround us, and beam with 
 delight, 
 
 And friendship that e'er would defend, 
 Should danger e'er come, a lov'd flower to blight, 
 Or the cold or the tempest descend. 
 
 But 0 ! how delightful those bowers on high, 
 Where the storm never ventures to come ; 
 
 No flower in heaven shall wither or die, 
 F or ever and ever they bloom. 
 154 
 
/ 
 
 RECITATION BY A SMALL GIEL. 
 
 THE DEAD BIRD. 
 [To be spoken with a dead bird in her hand.] 
 
 My dear little bird, with its golden wing, 
 That fluttered and chirped when I wished it to 
 sing, 
 
 I've spread on its cage the new grass and the 
 flower, 
 
 As it warbled so glad in its bright little bower. 
 
 My dear little bird — from the window it hung, 
 And its song on the breeze of the morning it 
 flung, 
 
 How gladly it perched when my hand would 
 caress, 
 
 And it seemed in my smile to be perfectly blest 
 
 My dear little bird— no more wilt thou sing, 
 Nor flutter around, with thy once merry wing, 
 Thou art dead— little bird— and all hushed is 
 thy voice, 
 
 No more in thy music my heart shall rejoice, 
 
 155 
 
156 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 My dear little bird — how the pleasures of earth, 
 Like thee hare their ending, almost in their 
 birth, 
 
 Like the song of the bird, like its wing bright 
 and gay, 
 
 A. moment they cheer us, then hasten away 
 
RECITATION BY A LITTLE GIRL. 
 
 THE BUTTERFLY. 
 
 [To be spoken with a bouquet in the hand, with a butterfl) 
 
 upon it.] 
 
 I love, when the trees are all cover'd with green, 
 
 And the flowers of Summer are there, 
 To run through the fields where the butterfly's 
 seen, 
 
 And chase it 'mong blossoms so fair. 
 
 When I've caught it, I love on its beauties to 
 
 'gaze, 
 
 And wonder what made it so fine, 
 Its wings soft as velvet all bordered with lace, 
 While its. head like a diadem shines. 
 
 Who made it ? 'Twas God, the Creator of all, 
 Whose throne is so high in the sky; 
 
 And when in the tempest all wet it may fall, 
 God sees e'en the'poor butterfly. 
 
 I'll chase it— I'll catch it— and gently I'll hold, 
 
 In the garden so lovely and gay, 
 And I'll place it again on the bright marigold, 
 
 And watch till it flies far away. 
 
 14 157 
 
158 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Go— butterfly, go— I am little, like you ; 
 
 In my hands I'd not have thee to die ; 
 I'll chase thee again through the flowers and 
 dew, 
 
 But I won't hurt the dear butterfly. 
 
I 
 
 RECITATION BY A VERY SMALL GIRL. 
 
 THE PET RABBIT. 
 [To be spoken with a little toy rabbit in the hand.] 
 
 Hush ! hush ! little children, I 've something to 
 say, 
 
 Now, don't make a noise, or you'll fright me 
 away; 
 
 I've a dear little rabbit, who, could it but see, 
 Would run from your presence so skittish and 
 free. 
 
 I pet it — I nurse it — it 's pretty and white, 
 It lies by my side through the dark, lonely night ; 
 It keeps by my chair through the whole of the 
 day, 
 
 I suppose, if alive, it would oft run away. 
 
 There's beauty in all things, little and fair : 
 A dew-drop — a rose-hud — a bird in the air ; 
 A pet lamb — a rabbit, so gentle and mild, 
 And the bright little eyes 9 of a dear little %iild, 
 
 159 
 
RECITATION BY A VERY SMALL GIRL. 
 
 WHAT I LOVE. 
 
 Pkay, won't you hear what I Ve to say ? 
 
 Although I m very young ? 
 Now boys be silent, right away, 
 
 And girls, each hold your tongue. 
 
 I '11 tell you what I love to see, 
 
 Although I am so small, 
 I love a puss that 's kind to me, 
 
 And love a pretty doll. 
 
 I love to see young children fair, 
 
 Who never speak unkind, 
 Who always for each other care, 
 
 And who their parents mind. 
 
 I love a Sabbath Infant school^ 
 
 Where happy children meet, 
 Where every hymn of love is full, 
 
 And nothing gives regret 
 
 I love to see a pretty yard, 
 
 All full of lovely flowers, 
 I love to see a little bird, 
 
 That sings as sweet as ours. 
 
 160 
 
I 
 
 RECITATIONS BY GIRLS. 
 
 love our country's flag so bright, 
 High waving in the air, 
 love its stripes of red and white, 
 And every star that 's there. 
 
 161 
 
 if 
 
i 
 
 i 
 
PART VIII 
 
 BIBLE CLASS LESSONS. 
 
 BIBLE CLASS LESSON. , 
 
 [The class to consist of ten.] 
 JOSEPH REVEALING HIMSELF TO HIS BRETHREN. 
 
 — Gen. 45. 
 
 Textual Questions. 
 
 Verse 1. What could not Joseph do ? 
 What did he cry ? 
 
 To whom did he make himself known ? 
 
 2. What did he do ? 
 Who heard him ? - 
 
 3. What did he say ? 
 Did they answer him ? 
 Why not ? 
 
 4. What did he then say ? 
 
 What did he say when they came near ? 
 
 [Let each child here repeat a verse until the 13th verse k 
 eepeated.] 
 
 165 
 
166 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 14. What did he do to Benjamin ? 
 What did Benjamin do to him ? 
 
 15. What did he do to the rest of his bre- 
 thren ? 
 
 What occurred after this ? 
 
 16. What effect had this matter when heard 
 in Pharaoh's house ? 
 
 17. What direction did Pharaoh give to Jo- 
 seph ? 
 
 [Let each succeeding child repeat a verse until the 17th, 
 18th, 19th and 20th are repeated.] 
 
 21. What did Joseph give his brethren ? 
 
 22. What did he give to Benjamin ? 
 
 24. What advice did he give to them upon 
 their departure ? 
 
 26. What did they say when they reached 
 their father ? 
 
 What effect had this intelligence upon Jacob ? 
 
 27. What served to convince him ? 
 
 28. What did he say ? 
 
 Intellectual Questions* 
 
 Verse 1. Question. In the tenderness exhi 
 bited by J oseph in weeping, was there any evi- 
 dence of weakness ? 
 
 Answer. There was not. Although it is a duty 
 to bear with fortitude whatever afflictions may 
 befall us, yet the circumstances were calculated 
 
BIBLE CLASS LESSONS. 167 
 
 deeply to affect him. In the entire of his his- 
 tory, Joseph exhibits great firmness; yet it is 
 not wonderful that as a son and brother his feel 
 ings upon this occasion were intensely excited. 
 
 Q. What was there to excite this tenderness? 
 
 A. The anguish of his brethren, whose inju- 
 ries to himself he was now about to forgive, and 
 the hope of seeing his aged father again, excited 
 almost overwhelming emotions. 
 
 Q. Do you see any particular wisdom in 
 the mode by which Joseph addressed his bre- 
 thren ? 
 
 A. The whole manner was most touching, and 
 well calculated to bring them into that tender 
 state of feeling which he desired. First declar- 
 ing himself as their brother Joseph, then asking 
 " doth my father yet live ?" and following up 
 the inquiry by saying, « I am Joseph, your bro- 
 ther, whom ye sold into Egypt." 
 
 Q. In saying, « so now it was not you that 
 sent me hither, but God," does Joseph mean to 
 exonerate them from guilt ? 
 
 A. By no means. He only means that he for- 
 gave them, inasmuch as God had overruled their 
 purposes. His spirit was similar to that after- 
 ward evinced by David, who, lamenting the 
 death of Saul and Jonathan, says, "Saul and 
 Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their 
 iives." Saul's history shows that be was not 
 
168 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 pleasant in many things, but David, in moments 
 of forgiveness, overlooked the many wrongs he 
 had suffered. 
 
 Q. What great lesson are we thus taught ? 
 
 A. That " charity covers a multitude of sins," 
 and that kindness is the best way of heaping 
 coals of fire upon the head of an enemy. 
 
 Q. What would you infer from the effect 
 which these things had upon Pharaoh and his 
 house ? 
 
 A. That they entertained for the virtues of 
 Joseph the highest respect. 
 
 Q. What did Joseph mean by saying, « see 
 that ye fall not out by the way ?" 
 
 A. Probably it was to caution them against 
 getting into any dispute respecting their indi- 
 vidual measure of guilt in their ill-treatment of 
 him, or in the manner in which the matter of 
 their guilt should be revealed to their father. 
 
 Q. In what respect could such caution be 
 necessary ? 
 
 A. As yet Jacob had no intimation that Jo- 
 seph was living. They were fully aware of the 
 humiliation which awaited them, when their aged 
 father should be made acquainted with their 
 cruelty. In discussing the mode of disclosure, 
 there was great danger of their seeking to cri- 
 minate each other. 
 
 Q. What instruction does this afford ? 
 
BIBLE CLASS LESSONS. 
 
 169 
 
 A. That there is no hour in which brethren 
 should cease to watch against discord. 
 
 ^ Q. Upon what point, in the history of Joseph, 
 did they fix, in disclosing his position to their 
 father ? 
 
 A. That he was " governor over all the land 
 of Egypt." 
 
 Q. Was this announcement of his elevation 
 made to excite the pride of his father ? 
 
 A. It was not. It was made to encourage 
 him to go into a land where his posterity might 
 be prosperous, seeing that his son had attained 
 to such distinction. 
 
 Q. Was the unbelief with which Jacob re- 
 ceived their statement at first unaccountable ? 
 
 A. I should suppose not. The evidence upon 
 which he had believed Joseph to have been slain 
 was so strong, that it was not remarkable that 
 he should doubt their present statement. 
 
 Q. What was his expression when he saw the 
 wagons and believed ? 
 
 A. "Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go 
 and see him before I die." * 
 
 Q. Of whom are we reminded when we reflect 
 upon Joseph's forgiveness of his brethren ? 
 
 A. We are reminded of our blessed Saviour, 
 who was sold by his brethren for thirty pieces of 
 silver; and who, upon the cross, said, "Father 
 forgive them, they know not what they do." 
 
 15 
 
170 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Q. What does this estimable conduct of Jo- 
 seph teach us ? 
 
 A. That under all the injuries we may suffer, 
 we should be most anxious to bring those to 
 repentance who have injured us, and be ever 
 ready to extend to them the forgiveness we trust 
 to obtain from God on our own behalf 
 
 I 
 
 m 
 
I 
 
 BIBLE CLASS LESSON. 
 
 [For twelve — six boys and six girls.] 
 THE PRESERVATION OF MOSES Exodus ii. 1-10. 
 
 Textual Questions. » 
 
 Verse 1. Of what house were the parents of 
 Moses ? 
 
 2. How long did his mother hide him ? 
 
 3. When she found she could no longer hide 
 him, what did she do with him ? 
 
 Of what was the ark made ? 
 How was it prepared ? 
 Where did she place the ark ? 
 
 4. Who remained to watch him ? 
 
 5. Who came to wash herself at the river ? 
 What did her maidens do ? 
 
 What did the princess do upon seeing the ark ? 
 
 6. What occurred when she opened the ark ? 
 What effect had its weeping upon the prin- 
 cess ? 
 
 What did she say ? 
 
 7. Who then addressed her ? 
 What did his sister say ? 
 
 171 
 
172 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER 
 
 &. Did the princess consent ? 
 Whom did she call ? 
 
 9. What did the princess say to her ? 
 What did the mother do ? 
 
 10. What afterwards occurred to the child? 
 What was he called ? 
 
 Why was he called Moses ? 
 
 Intellectual Questions. 
 
 Verse 1. Question. What is meant by being 
 of the house of Levi? 
 
 Answer. A descendant of the family and 
 tribe of Levi. 
 
 Q. Who was Levi ? 
 
 A. The third son of Jacob. His descendants 
 became the tribe from which the priests were 
 selected. Thus the great lawgiver, Moses, was 
 selected from this peculiarly religious family. 
 
 3. Q. What was the ark of bulrushes ? 
 
 A. It was a small boat or basket, made of the 
 papyrus, or bulrush. 
 
 Q. Where does this plant usually grow ? 
 
 A. Most abundantly upon the banks of the 
 Nile, and in marshy grounds. 
 
 Q. Yfhy did she daub it with slime and with 
 pitch ? 
 
 A. To render it water-proof. Much the same 
 method is still employed in closing up the seams 
 of vessels, as they fill them with melted pitch. 
 
BIBLE CLASS LESSONS. 173 
 
 Q. Why did the mother adopt this mode, do 
 you suppose, of trying to save the child, instead 
 of taking it at once to the palace ? 
 
 A. As the more likely means. At the close 
 of the first chapter, we are told that Pharaoh, 
 the king, had cruelly decreed, « Every son that 
 is born ye shall cast into the river.' ' It is, 
 therefore, probable, that the mother adopted 
 this method, hoping, as she could no longer hide 
 the child, that she might literally conform to 
 the decree, and possibly preserve its life. 
 
 Q. Is it probable that she had any reference 
 to the princess in this matter ? 
 
 A. It is. As bathing in those countries was 
 a frequent practice, and regularly observed, and 
 as it is most likely a princess would have some 
 one place for that purpose, the mother doubtless 
 hoped that the child would attract her attention 
 and secure her compassion. 
 
 6. Q. What occurred when she opened the ark I 
 
 A. The babe wept. 
 
 .; Q. Is there any thing seemingly providential, 
 in that incident ? 
 
 A. There is. Nothing touches the feelings 
 of humanity more than the sight of an innocent 
 lovely child in distress. It was, therefore, well 
 calculated to touch the heart of the princess. 
 
 Q. What is indicated in her expression, « ihm 
 is one of the Hebrew's children" ? 
 
 15* 
 
174 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 A. As many children were daily thrown into 
 the river, doubtless the heart of the princess 
 had often been melted at the sufferings of the 
 poor Hebrew women, and the plaintive cry of 
 this lovely infant was likely to bring to her own 
 bosom a sense of the anguish of the poor He- 
 brew mothers, and to prompt to a strong desire 
 to save it. 
 
 7. Q. What do you perceive in the conduct 
 of his sister ? 
 
 A. Great affection and wisdom. As the prin- 
 cess might have been much embarrassed to know 
 what to do with the child, it was peculiarly 
 timely to propose to call one of the Hebrew 
 women to nurse it. 
 
 9. Q. What did the princess say to the 
 mother ? 
 
 A. "Take this child," &e. [Repeat the 
 verse.'] 
 
 10. Q. Why was he called Moses ? 
 
 A. Because that word, in the Egyptian lan- 
 guage, -signifies "one drawn out of the water." 
 
 Q. What may we learn from the manner of 
 his preservation ? 
 
 A. That his mother and sister acted wisely in 
 not sinking into despair. Even providence re- 
 quires our best exertions. 
 
 Q. What other truth does it teach us ? 
 
 A. That God uses often the feeblest agencies 
 
BIBLE CLASS LESSONS. 175 
 
 m the achievement of his greatest purposes. 
 Though intending the preservation of Moses, 
 for great and exalted purposes, yet he employed 
 his natural guardians as co-workers in his pur- 
 poses. 
 
 Q. Perhaps you may discover in his preser- 
 vation something further. 
 
 A. We can see how God can make even the 
 " wrath of man to praise him ;" for the daughter 
 of the very king who made this dreadful decree, 
 is made the instrument of raising up the remark- 
 able man who was to be the temporal redeemer 
 of Israel. 
 
 Q. Had this king any right to make such a 
 decree ? 
 
 A. Surely not. But under despotic govern- 
 ments and heathen institutions the lives of chil- 
 dren are but little valued. 
 
 Q. What does the author of our blessed reli- 
 gion say of children ? 
 
 A. « Suffer little children to come unto me, 
 and forbid them not ; for of such is the king- 
 dom of heaven. " 
 
 Q. What influence ought this consideration 
 to have upon us ? 
 
 A. To be grateful for the blessings of Chris- 
 tianity, and to cherish the institutions of a 
 country whose government respects the life of 
 the humblest. 
 
-BIBLE CLASS LESSON. 
 
 [Six boys and six girls.] 
 
 Solomon's prayer for wisdom 1 Kings iu. 
 
 1-15. 
 
 Textual Questions. 
 Verse 1. Whom did Solomon marry ? 
 What did he build ? 
 
 2. Where did the people sacrifice ? 
 
 Why? ' 
 
 3. Whom did Solomon love ? 
 How did he walk ? 
 
 How did he worship ? 
 
 Where ? ,. V r ' \ 
 
 4. Where did he afterward go ? 
 For what ? 
 
 Why ? 
 
 What did he offer upon that altar < 
 
 5. Where did the Lord appear to Solomon ? 
 How ? 
 
 What did the Lord say to Solomon ? 
 
 6. What did Solomon reply ? 
 
 [Let one of the class repeat the 6th verse, the next the 7th 
 verse, &c.] 
 
 176 
 
BIBLE CLASS LESSONS. 177 
 
 10. What resulted from Solomon's speech ? 
 
 11. What did the Lord then say to him ? 
 
 [Here, as above, let a verse be spoken by each, until the foul 
 verses are repeated.] 
 
 15. What did Solomon perceive when he 
 awoke ? 
 
 Where did he go ? 
 
 What did he then do ? 
 
 Intellectual Questions. 
 
 Verse 2. Question. What do you understand 
 by the high places ? 
 
 Answer. It appears to have been usual to have 
 the worship of God upon mountains, before the 
 building of the temple. Abraham worshipped 
 upon a mountain. 
 
 Q. Do you remember any other instance ? 
 
 A. Moses went up into a mountain, and there 
 received the law. 
 
 Q. Can you refer to still another instance ? 
 
 A. It was upon Mount Nebo Moses died. It 
 is probable he had gone to its summit to wor- 
 ship . 
 
 ^ Q. What reasons are assigned for the selec- 
 tion of high places, in the earlier worship ? 
 
 A. Besides affording places of retirement, 
 these eminences, it was thought, by the gran- 
 deur of the prospect, impressed the mind with 
 
 I.J6 
 
178 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 those views of the power of God which tended 
 to humble the heart in adoration. 
 
 Q. Were those places ever used for improper 
 purposes ? 
 
 A. They were ; and became the scenes of 
 gross idolatry. 
 
 Q. What inference may be drawn from this ? 
 
 A. That, however proper it certainly is to 
 have all external things in conformity with the 
 great purposes of worship, yet any attempt to 
 excite to the worship of God by exterior objects, 
 tends to corrupt the simplicity of faith, and to 
 promote superstition and idolatry. 
 
 3. Q. Do Solomon's acts of worship in these 
 "high places" appear to be approved ? 
 
 A. The language of the narrative would 
 rather imply censure. The probability is, that 
 Solomon's discovery of the inconvenience of this 
 mode, and its tendency to idolatry, excited to 
 the purpose of erecting the temple. 
 
 4. Q. Why did Solomon go to Gibeon ? 
 
 A. The tabernacle, and altar of burnt sacri* 
 fice, made by Moses, were there, prior to the 
 building of the temple. 
 
 Q. Where was Gibeon ? 
 
 A. It was a city reared upon a hill, about 
 forty furlongs north of Jerusalem. 
 Q. What is a furlong ? 
 A. The eighth of a mile. 
 
BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, 179 
 
 Q. What then would be the distance ? 
 A. Five miles. 
 
 5. Q. How did the Lord appear to Solomon 
 at Gibeon ? 
 
 A. In a, dream. 
 
 Q. Was this a supernatural dream ? 
 
 A. It was. The exercises of the day had 
 made a strong impression upon his mind. 
 Dreams usually result from such causes. In 
 this instance the dream was evidently from God. 
 
 Q. Should such instances encourage us to 
 attach importance to dreams generally ? 
 
 A. They should-not. Although instances are 
 recorded in the Bible where they have been 
 supernatural, still we should remember that a 
 supernatural use has been made of almost every 
 natural means. 
 
 7. Q. What confession does Solomon make 
 of his inability ? 
 
 A. " I am but a little child ; I know not how 
 to go out or come in." 
 
 Q. How old was Solomon at this time ? 
 
 A. About twenty years of age. 
 . Q. Why then did he call himself « a little 
 child" ? 
 
 A. In view of the responsibility of govern- 
 ing a nation so numerous and great as Israel 
 was, he felt as inexperienced and inadequate as 
 
 i 
 
180 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 a child. It was an indication of self-distrust, 
 
 and of his need of divine direction. 
 
 ^ 9. Q. What did Solomon ask of the Lord ? 
 
 A. « Give therefore thy servant,''' &c. [Re* 
 peat the verse.'] 
 
 10. Q. What effect had this prayer ? 
 A. It pleased the Lord. 
 
 11. Q. What were those things in not asking 
 which, Solomon pleased the Lord ? 
 
 A. "And God said unto him," &c. [Repeat 
 the verse.] 
 
 Q. What may we learn from this ? 
 
 A. We may learn that a desire for long life 
 — great riches — and to see his enemies involved 
 in calamity, are too commonly the objects of 
 man's anxiety. 
 
 12. 13, 14. Q. What did the Lord give to 
 Solomon ? 
 
 A. « Behold I have done," &c. [Repeat verses 
 12, 13, 14.] 
 
 Q. With what great truth does this corre- 
 spond ? 
 
 A. " The fear of the Lord is the beginning 
 of wisdom," 
 
 Q. Is this confirmed in the New Testament ? 
 
 A. Our Saviour says, " But seek ye first the 
 kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all 
 these things shall be added unto you." 
 
 I 
 
BIBLE CLASS LESSONS. 
 
 15. Q. What did Solomon do upon awaking ? 
 A. "And he came to Jerusalem/' &c. [Re- 
 peat.] i 
 
 Q. What was a "burnt offering" ? " 
 ^ A. It was a sacrifice made by fire. The vic- 
 tim was to be without blemish, having neither a 
 spot, nor broken bone. The fire denoted the 
 justice and holiness of God ; by his justice the 
 sacrifice was consumed, and by his holiness 
 accepted. 
 
 Q. What was a " peace-offering" ? 
 A. It was an offering of thanksgiving for 
 peace, or for mercies received. 
 
 Q. Why do not Christians have such altars 
 and sacrifices now ? 
 
 A. Because all those services pointed to the 
 "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the 
 world." They being types of the offering of 
 Christ, and all pointing to him, the shadow is 
 done away by the thing signified. 
 
 Q. How then can we offer sacrifices to God ? 
 A. Though we are not to look for salvation 
 in dreams, nor to sacrifice at a Jewish altar, yet 
 by faith we can be " m Christ Jesus, who of God 
 is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and 
 sanctification, and redemption." 
 Q. For what did Christ die ? 
 A. " To be the propitiation for our sins." 
 
 16 
 
182 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SI MAKER. 
 
 Q. Can each one of you, in turn, quote a 
 
 passage of Scripture, proving that this propi- 
 tiationlsacrifice, or atonement, was made in the 
 one offering of Christ ? 
 
 [Let the first one in the class commence, and, in ordei, let 
 each follow, viz :] 
 
 1. Hebrews, 9th chapter, 11th and 12th 
 verses. — " But Christ being come an high priest 
 of good things to come, by a greater and more 
 perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is. 
 to say, not of this building ; neither by the 
 blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, 
 lie entered in once into the holy place, having 
 obtained eternal redemption for us." 
 
 2. Hebrews, 9th chapter, 13th and 14th 
 verses.— "For if the blood of bulls and of 
 goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the 
 unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh : 
 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who 
 through the eternal Spirit offered himself with- 
 out spot to God, purge your conscience from 
 dead works to serve the living God ?" 
 
 3. Hebrews, 9th chapter, 28th verse.— 
 « Christ was once offered to bear the sins of 
 many." 
 
 4. 1st Cor. 5th chapter, 7th verse " For 
 
 even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us." 
 
BIBLE CLASS LESSONS. 188 
 
 5. Col. 1st chapter, 19th and 20th verses.— 
 « For it pleased the Father that in him should 
 all fulness dwell; and, having made peace 
 through the blood of his cross, by him to recon- 
 cile all things unto himself." 
 
 6. Rom. 5th chapter, 8th verse. — « But God 
 commendeth his love toward us, in that while 
 we were yet sinners Christ died for us." 
 
 7. Eph. 5th chapter, 2d verse " And walk 
 
 in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath 
 given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice 
 to God for a sweet-smelling savour." 
 
 8. Hebrews, 10th chapter, 10th verse.—" By 
 the which will we are sanctified, through the 
 offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for 
 all." 
 
 9. Heb. 10th chapter, 14th verse " For by 
 
 one offering he hath perfected forever them that 
 are sanctified." 
 
 10. Heb. 10th chapter, from 19th to 22d 
 verse.—" Having, therefore, brethren, boldness 
 to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 
 by a new and living way, which he hath conse- 
 crated for us, through the vail, that is to say, 
 his flesh; and having an high priest over the 
 house of God ; Let us^Iraw near with a true 
 heart, in full assurance of faith, having our 
 hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and 
 our bodies washed with pure water." 
 
184 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 11. Eom. 3d chapter, 25th verse "Whom 
 
 God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through 
 faith in his blood." 
 
 12. Heb. 7th chapter, 25th verse. — "Where- 
 fore he is able also to save them to the utter- 
 most that come unto God by him, seeing he ever 
 liveth to make intercession for them." 
 
\ 
 
 .J 
 
HYMNS. 
 
 COMPOSED EXPRESSLY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARI 
 AND ADAPTED TO VARIOUS OCCASIONS. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 HYMNS FOE, CHRISTMAS. 
 
 HYMN I. C. M. 
 
 Shall Bethlehem forget her night, 
 
 Nor wait the ling' ring dawn, 
 Shall shepherds, led by angel light, 
 
 Go seek the Holy One 1 
 And we, for whom the Just One came, 
 
 For whom he left yon throne, 
 Shall we not dwell upon his name, 
 
 Nor sing his love our own * 
 
 Shalt thou, belov'd Jerusalem, 
 
 Where stood His house of prayer, 
 Be fill'd as with seraphic flame, 
 
 When children-choirs are there ? 
 And shall not we, His courts who tread, 
 
 The child's hosanna yield, 
 Though on his path no mantles spread, 
 
 Nor gold our ofT'rings gild 1 
 
 No, Jesus ! no ! we'll not withhold 
 
 The praise that wakes the earth ; 
 Had we ten thousand harps of gold, 
 
 We'd chant the Saviour's birth ; 
 Thou art our Shepherd — we thy lambs, 
 
 Thy fold, the plains of heaven, 
 And here and there to Jesus' name, 
 
 Our endless praise be given. 
 
 187 
 
188 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 HYMN II. C. M. 
 
 W hat though no harp with golden string, 
 Our grateful hymn shall swell, 
 
 Yet here our hearts we humbly bring, 
 On Jesus' love to dwell. 
 
 O could we with seraphic songs, 
 
 This holy temple fill, 
 Then would we use our flaming tongues, 
 
 And sing a Saviour still. 
 
 High would we praise " the Morning Star," 
 Which beam'd on error's night, 
 
 That chas'd the gloom of sin afar, 
 And brought kn mortal light. 
 
 Wide o'er the earth we'd chant his name, 
 Who bending from his throne, 
 
 To seek e'en little children came, 
 And gather as his own. 
 
 O may we, when his flocks shall rest, 
 
 Upon the heavenly plain, 
 Be with our Shepherd's smile caress'd, 
 
 And sing his love again. 
 
 Yes, holy Saviour, Thee we'll own, 
 
 Creation's pow'rful God, 
 And sing before thy lofty throne, 
 
 Redemption in thy blood. 
 
 HYMN III. 
 
 Tune — Portuguese Ryrnn* 
 
 Ye angels of heaven, the high-born of glory 
 If still to the earth ye descend with delight, 
 
 Again let your anthems rehearse the glad story, 
 Which early ye chanted o'er Bethlehem's night 
 
HYMNS, 
 
 No shepherds forsaking their flocks now reclining 
 With myrtle adorning the manger, appear : 
 
 No star from the east in its glory is shining, 
 X et children adore him— for Jesus is here. 
 
 No wise men are coming from Orient nations, 
 1 o offer their homage with incense and gold, 
 
 Yet children rejoice in Messiah's salvation, 
 Salvation in Jesus, by prophets foretold. 
 
 The hope that first dawn'd on the darkness of Eden, 
 1 hat broke in its glory on Bethlehem's plains, 
 
 Still guides m its brightness the children now speeding, 
 I o yield a full homage to Jesus' reign. 
 
 Then angels respond, while we children uniting, 
 Awaken with rapture our songs in his praise ; 
 
 1 he leader of Joseph his flock is inviting, 
 And higher we'll praise him in heaven's bright days. 
 
 HYMN IV. 
 
 TWe — Palestine. 
 Let us sing to the Lord-lo! from yonder oright throne, 
 
 He descended to gladden the earth ; 
 When no palace of glory he claimed for his own, 
 
 But a manger was his in his birth. 
 Shall the wise men, and shepherds, and angels adore, 
 
 And shall children their praises forbear ] 
 O no ! we will ponder in silence no more, 
 
 But will worship with anthems and prayer. 
 
 Let us sing to the Lord,— who in Judah appear'd, 
 
 Zion s King, meek and lowly he came, 
 When their garments and palms on his pathway were spread 
 
 And nosannas were sung to his name. 
 But more precious to him were the joys of the young, 
 
 And more perfect their motives in praise, 
 When the Saviour rejoic'd in the love-glowing song, 
 
 And the temple was filled with their lays. 
 
190 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Let us sing to the Lord, — for our hearts are his own, 
 
 And children the fold of his care, 
 On Calvary's cross, or eternity's throne, 
 
 He is mov'd at the voice of their prayer. 
 Though no garments we spread — though no palm branches 
 
 Yet the heart is the offering we give, 
 And we trust that the Lord, who descended to save, 
 
 Will the anthems of children receive. 
 
 HYMNS FOH NEW- YEAH. 
 
 HYMN V. 6's & 8's. 
 
 We bow before thy throne, 
 
 Thou great and pard'ning God, 
 And sing thy love our own, 
 Through Jesus's holy blood ; 
 Within thy courts we would appear, 
 And hail with joy the new-born year. 
 
 Though angel-choirs on high, 
 
 Their noblest anthems swell — 
 We would in praise draw nigh, 
 And on thy mercy dwell ; 
 That mercy sure, the child will hear, 
 Which led us through the by-gone year. 
 
 What though the sun of day, 
 
 May far diffuse his light, 
 Each star, with humbler ray, 
 May speak Jehovah's might ; 
 So may each child a light appear, 
 To spread thy praise throughout the year. 
 
 Thou hast upheld us, Lord, 
 
 In love watch'd o'er our path- 
 Each day with mercy stor'd, 
 And held us ba'ck from death ; 
 In Jesus' name, O hear our prayer- — 
 Forgive the sins of every year. 
 
HYMKS 
 
 When life shall pass away, 
 And time with us be o'er, 
 O may we in that day, 
 
 Thy pow'r and love adore ; 
 The Father, Son, and Spirit, there, 
 We'll praise throughout the heavenly year. 
 
 HYMN VI. 8's & 7's. 
 
 Children, come with joy abounding 
 Gladness wakes fte grateful earth- 
 Mercy's smile the day surrounding, 
 When another year hath birth. 
 Wake the song of every nation : 
 Spread the loud hosanna far — 
 Sing of him who brought salvation 
 Him the bright and morning star 
 
 Once, when from the throne of heaven, 
 
 He appear'd in spirit mild, 
 Not an angel's form was given ; 
 
 Jesus came an humble child. 
 
 Wake the song of every nation, &c. 
 
 Though the crowns of earth were proffer'd. 
 When the Lord appear'd to save, 
 
 Richer crowns the children offer'd, 
 In the grateful hymns they gave. 
 
 Wake the song of every nation, &(., 
 
 When around the Prince of Glory, 
 Mothers with their children came, 
 
 Infant hearts inhal'd the story- 
 Infant voices blessed his name. 
 
 Wake the song of every nation, &c. 
 
 Humbly we would seek his blessing : 
 Wait within the house of prayer, 
 
 While the debt of love increasing,, 
 In our safety through the year. 
 
 Wake the song of every nation, &c 
 
SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 May his presence still be given, 
 Through our earthly brief career, 
 
 Till we join the song of heaven, 
 In a new and happy year. 
 
 Wake the song of every nation. &c 
 
 HYMN VII. 
 
 Tutte — Life on the ocean wave. 
 
 Come sing, 'tis a festal hour, 
 
 Let us meet with" sacred cheer; 
 Preserved by a Saviour's power, 
 
 We sing to the new-born year. 
 The bird of summer is fled, 
 
 And with it each twilight sigh, 
 The frail smiling flower is dead, 
 
 But joys of winter are nigh. 
 
 Come sing, 'tis a festal hour, &©s 
 
 O'er fields no longer we roam, 
 
 The snow and the cold are there, 
 No more mid the meadow's bloom, 
 
 Our steps to the streamlet repair. 
 In hymns of evening we blend, 
 
 And mingle in friendship pure, 
 The joys of summer may end, 
 
 But the joys of home endure. 
 Come sing, 'tis a festal hour, &c# 
 • 
 
 With love our bosoms swell, 
 
 To him whose name we adore, 
 His mercy our songs shall tell, 
 
 When joys of summer are o'er. 
 Tis ours his kindness to know 
 
 And grateful his praise we sing, 
 Here in his temple we bow, 
 
 The' heart is the tribute we bring. 
 Come sing, 'tis a festal hour, &c 
 
HYMNS. 
 
 HYMN VIII. 
 
 OK THE RESURRECTION OE CHRIST. 
 
 Tune — Watchman, 
 Teachers. — Children, can you tell us why, 
 Angel-light illum'd the sky. 
 When upon the fearful night, 
 Mercy smil'd in heaven's light 1 
 Children — Teachers, yes, that glorious hour, 
 
 Saw the Saviour's wond'rous power, 
 When he banish'd Salem's gloom, 
 Rose in triumph from the tomb. 
 
 -Children, could you feel her grief, 
 When lone Mary sought relief, 
 Would you not with her delight 
 Still to watch the tardy night 1 
 -Teachers, yes; — perfumes we'd strew, 
 Tears would mingle with the dew, 
 Gladness then should chase our gloom, 
 Jesus rising from the tomb. 
 
 Children, come — your Lord adore, 
 High he lives, to die no more, 
 Once he slept in Joseph's grave, 
 Now he reigns a Prince to save. 
 Teachers, yes, with glory's throng, 
 We will chant redemption's song, 
 He hath driven death afar, 
 Reigns he now " the morning star." 
 
 — - 
 
 , HYMNS FOR ANY OCCASION. 
 HYMN IX. 
 Tune — Fondly thine own. 
 Rise— rise— free from thy mourning, 
 Light— light— breaks from the sky, 
 See— see— bright the day dawning, 
 Jesus is risen on high. 
 
 Rise— rise— rise— rise— Jesus is risen, <fcc 
 
 17 
 
 Teachers.- 
 
 Children.- 
 
 Teachers, — 
 Children. — 
 
SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Come — come — sing to the Saviour, 
 Love — love — beams from his eye, 
 Haste — haste — share in his favour, 
 Worship the Saviour on high. 
 
 Come — come — come — come — Worship, 
 
 Praise — praise — yield him with gladness, 
 Earth — earth — banish thy gloom; 
 Where — death — where is thy sadness 1 
 Jesus returns from the tomb. 
 
 Praise — praise — praise — praise — Jesus, &c 
 
 Hail — hail — ■children adore thee, 
 Here — here — anthems we give, 
 There — there — dwelling in glory, 
 Love in thy life we'll receive. 
 
 Hail — hail — all hail — Love in, &c. 
 
 HYMN X. 
 
 Tuxe — The Might with the Right* 
 
 O see on high, along the sky, 
 
 There beams a morning star, 
 It bids at last, the night be past, 
 
 "V\ hich spreads its shades afar. 
 Though long in vain, 'neath error's reign, 
 The soul hath sought to break its chain 
 
 1 et the Prince of Peace shall reign, 
 W r hen the hour of his power, and his truth shall comei 
 
 And the earth once more, 
 
 His love shall adore, 
 
 And God dispel all gloom. 
 
 AD. nations soon, shall hail the boon, 
 
 And seek Messiah's throne, 
 Lov'd childhood's prayer, shall mingle there 
 
 When Christ shall reign alone. 
 To Him, its King, the earth shall sing, 
 And every heart its offering bring, 
 
 And the Princ2 of Peace shall reign, 
 When the hour of his power, &c. 
 
HYMNS. 
 
 195 
 
 Let those who claim, the Saviour's nam-3, 
 The Saviour's meekness show, 
 
 And in his bright and glorious light, 
 May all their virtues glow. 
 
 To those who dwell, in error's spell, 
 
 That Saviour's birth, will gladly tell, 
 And the Prince of Peace shall reign, 
 When the hour of his power, &c. 
 
 Then far and wide, on every tide, 
 
 On every wind of heaven, 
 From rosy light, to deepest night 
 
 O let the song be given, 
 Till sorrows cease, and all is peace, 
 And earth again hath holy bliss, 
 
 And the Prince of Peace shall reign. 
 When the hour of his power, &c 
 
 HYMN XI. 
 
 Nature with ten thousand smiles, 
 
 Spreads her joys around us, 
 And with tender love beguiles, 
 When lone grief confounds us. 
 When her stars are glowing, 
 Crystal streamlets flowing, 
 Flowers their beauty showing, 
 Then do nature's pleasures bless, 
 And the soul hath love and peace. 
 
 Yet how transient is the gleam, 
 
 Nature's smile can give us, 
 Stars in clouds may hide their beam, 
 Flowers may fade and leave us. 
 Grief the soul assailing, 
 Wither'd joys bewailing, 
 All our pleasures failing, 
 
 Other joys the soul must bless, 
 Nature hath no constant peace. 
 
SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKEB* 
 
 0 there is a world on high, 
 
 Where bright stars are glowing, 
 Flowers there bloom that never die, 
 Fountains ever flowing. 
 
 From that world descending, 
 Jesus comes befriending, 
 His are joys unending, 
 
 Yes his love the soul can bless, 
 With religion's constant peace. 
 
 HYMN XII. 
 
 Tr>-E — Music and Love, 
 
 Lovely and gay, in Eden's day, 
 
 Ere yet the world knew sadness, 
 Oft the angel-throng, in a blissful song 
 Attun'd their harps in gladness. 
 
 Then raise on high, through earth and sky 
 
 The song which broke from heaven, 
 And loudly proclaim, the holy name 
 By which redemption's given. 
 
 Gladly and free, with hearts of glee, 
 
 We hail the day appointed, 
 In view of His cross, our hearts rejoice, 
 
 And praise the Lord's anointed. 
 
 Then raise on high, &c. 
 
 Calmly and blest, to promised rest, 
 
 The tribes of old He guided, 
 W T hen Israel stood, beside the flood, 
 
 His power the deep divided. 
 
 Then raise on high, &c. 
 
 Darker and wide, sin's fearful tide, 
 
 Long swept in wildest madness, 
 When the Saviour came, like clouded flame 
 
 To 'lume the night of sadness. 
 
 Then raise on high, &c. 
 
HYMNS. 
 
 197 
 
 Happy above, in realms of love, 
 
 Where angels e'er adore Him, 
 The crown we receive — that crown we'll give, 
 
 And bow in love before Him. 
 
 Then raise on high, &c. 
 
 HYMN XIII. 
 
 Tune — Flow gently sweet A/ton, 
 What though the pure Christian on earth ever treads, 
 In paths where life's pleasures so often must fade, 
 There is a true Shepherd, with friendship e'er pure, 
 Whose smile in each trial will steadfast endure. 
 We cling to that Saviour, upheld by his power, 
 And trust to his mercy in each fearful hour : 
 He dwells in yon heaven, with angels on high, 
 Where anthems of triumph are heard in the sky. 
 
 In seasons of darkness when night spreads around, 
 And the moans of the tempest in fearfulness sound 
 As an infant whose dreams for awhile may alarm, 
 Awakes to repose on a fond mother's arm, 
 So we will awake when this dream flies away, 
 And life shall be lost in eternity's day, 
 Where night never comes in the pure world on high, 
 And anthems of triumph are heard in the sky. 
 
 How bright is that world where the saints e'er abide, 
 Where joys from pure fountains in fulness e'er glide, 
 Where the air is all love, and the flowers that bloom, 
 Ever glow on the paths where the angels oft come. 
 Each scene, O how lovely ! all around the bright throne, 
 Where Jesus resides in the world all his own, 
 And the lov'd harps of angels are sounding on high, 
 Where anthems of triumph are heard in the sky. 
 
 HYMN XIV. 
 
 Tune — Auld Lang Syne, 
 When childhood's blissful hours have fled, 
 
 Mid future scenes of care, 
 Thy joys from memory ne'er shall fade, 
 
 Sweet Sabbath school so dear. 
 
 17* 
 
198 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 Sweet Sabbath School, place dear to me, 
 Where e'er through life I roam, 
 
 My heart will often turn to thee, 
 My childhood's Sabbath home. 
 
 Within thy courts of Him I've heard 
 
 Whose birth the angels sung, 
 When o'er the Shepherds fill'd with fear, 
 
 The star of glory hung. 
 
 Sweet Sabbath School, &c. 
 
 There I have learn'd man's early loss 
 
 Of Eden and of God, 
 There faith hath seen Salvation's cross, 
 
 Where rieher mercy glow'd. 
 
 Sweet Sabbath School, &c. 
 
 O holy place, where first we shed, 
 
 Lov'd childhood's early tear, 
 Where youthful steps are taught to tread, 
 
 In paths of peace and prayer. 
 Sweet Sabbath School, &c. 
 
 When all our wanderings here shall cease, 
 
 And cares of life shall end, 
 In God's eternal Sabbath place, 
 
 May we our anthems blend. 
 
 Sweet Sabbath School, &C 
 
 HYMNS FOR INFANT CLASSES 
 
 HYMN XV. 
 
 Ttjxe — Blue-eyed Mary, 
 
 Come join the Infant school with me, 
 True pleasures there you'll find ; 
 
 And pictures round the room you'll see. 
 To interest the mind, 
 
HYMNS. 
 
 190 
 
 The noble horse that prances gay, 
 
 The lion, strong and bold : 
 The little lamb that loves to play, 
 
 Which e'en a child may hold. 
 
 We sing of Him who made the sun, 
 And moon and stars so high, 
 
 And all that fly — or swim — or run, — 
 Who made the earth and sky. 
 
 Come, then, and join our infant band, 
 Where pleasures hold control, 
 
 You'll sing and clap your little hands,— 
 Come, join our infant school. 
 
 HYMN XVI. 
 
 Tune — The Troubadour* 
 Hark ! how the angels sing, 
 
 Anthems from heaven, 
 Tidings of joy they bring, 
 
 Jesus is given ; 
 He comes the world to own, 
 
 Earth hail thy king, 
 Children come, seek his throne, 
 
 Your praises brings 
 
 O lovely Bethlehem, 
 
 Had we been there, 
 Guarding our tender lambs 
 
 With fondest care ; 
 We with the shepherd throng 
 
 Flowrets would bear, 
 With the rose and the song, 
 
 Glad'ning the air. 
 
 Still in the temple here 
 
 He deigns to dwell, 
 Deeming sweet childhood's prayaf 
 
 Richest perfume. 
 
SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER, 
 
 No flowrets he'll receive, 
 
 Strew'd at his feet, 
 While the song childhood givea, 
 
 To him is sweet. 
 
 O may these little ones, 
 
 In yonder heaven, 
 Worship before the throne, 
 
 Where joy is given : 
 Where flowers that never die, 
 
 Lov'd angefs bring, 
 In the world o'er the sky, 
 
 With them we'll sing. 
 
 HYMN XVII. 
 
 Tujve — Come to the sun-set tree* 
 
 Come to the Infant school, 
 
 The child's delightful home, 
 Where hearts with joy are full, 
 
 When the blessed Sabbath's come, 
 Sweet are the joys we share, 
 
 To hear of his pure love, 
 Wlio makes the young his care, 
 
 And guides to scenes abovs. 
 Come, Qpme, &c. 
 
 Bright is the early dawn, 
 
 Of the day we love the best, 
 We hail its lovely sun, 
 
 As it brings the day of rest. 
 When the shades of evening spread, 
 
 Peace guards our little hearts, 
 We feel no conscious dread, 
 
 As the Sabbath day departs. 
 Come, come, &c. 
 
 Sing to the Saviour here, 
 Whom angels sing on high, 
 
 We feel his mercy near, 
 
 Though his throne is in tfce sky. 
 
HYMNS 
 
 Close by his side we cling, 
 
 And know his care is given, 
 His praise, O ! may we sing, 
 
 With angel choirs in heaven 
 Come, come, &c. 
 
 HYMN XVIII, 
 
 Tujte The Rose that all are praising. 
 Let others sing of gladness, 
 
 That cheers the winter hours> 
 To me there is a sadness 
 
 In the absence of the flowers. 
 O give to me the joys of May, 
 When birds begin' their songs and play ; 
 O give me lovely May, &c. 
 
 Let others pine for glory, 
 
 Such as the world can give ; 
 "Tis all a dream or story, 
 Which but a day can live : 
 
 Give me the hour of harmless play, 
 When children crown their Queen of May 
 O give me lovely May, &c ' 
 
 The wind so cold and dreary, 
 
 Then feels the sun's warm ray, 
 And nature lone and dreary, 
 Smiles in the light of May ; 
 
 Then children seek the flowery way, 
 And crown with wreaths their Queen of Mai 
 O give me lovely May, &c. 
 
 Then sing— for Summer's coming, 
 
 With lovely flower and bird ; 
 Then through the valley blooming, 
 Shall joyous songs be heard ; 
 Then let the winter speed away, 
 We'll go to crown the Queen of May; 
 O give me lovely May, &c 
 
202 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER. 
 
 HYMN XIX. 
 
 Tune — The Rose of Allandale. 
 
 The jovs that I have known of earth, 
 
 However young my heart, 
 Whale 'er their smiles, whate 'er their worth, 
 
 Have bloom'd but to depart ; 
 But there 's a joy that comes from high, 
 
 Whose smile shall never cease, 
 The joy that fades not with a sigh, 
 
 The heavenly hope of peace. 
 
 The heavenly hope of peace, &c 
 
 The bird that sings its meadow song, 
 
 In Flora's lovely bower, 
 Or flies amid the forest throng, 
 
 How brief its sunny hour ; 
 The forest beauties all decay, 
 
 The songs of birds must cease, 
 But there 's a joy ne'er fades away, 
 
 The heavenly hope of peace. 
 
 The heavenly hope of peace, &c 
 
 O ! may my heart by wisdom led, 
 
 Ne'er seek undue delight, 
 In joys that brighten but to fade, 
 
 Like meteors of the night; 
 But to my young and gentle heart, 
 
 One joy I '11 early press, 
 Whose smiles in darkness ne'er depart 
 
 The heavenly hope of peace. 
 
 The heavenly hope of peace, &c 
 
 HYMN XX. 
 
 Tune — The Ingle Side. 
 
 Hearts may delight in error's way, 
 And say the scenes are fair, 
 
 And seek to spend the holy day, 
 Forgetful e'er of prayer ; 
 
HYMNS 
 
 But when the vale of death they tread, 
 No flower the eye shall see, — 
 
 A place there is where joy is shed, 
 The place of prayer for me. 
 
 On other days the fields I '11 view, 
 
 And cull the blossoms gay, 
 But may my heart in virtue true, 
 
 Revere the Sabbath day ; 
 From worldly pleasures, worldly cares, 
 
 From every sin I '11 flee ; 
 And haste the Saviour's love to share 
 
 The place of prayer for me. 
 
 How calm the smile that heaven gives 
 
 To cheer adoring hearts, 
 In future years that smile revives, 
 
 When other joy departs ; 
 No sigh disturbs the tranquil breast, 
 
 From anguish ever free, 
 Then give, upon each day of rest, 
 
 The place of prayer to me. 
 
 A world there is where God abides, 
 
 A lovely Sabbath-place, 
 A world where Jesus e'er resides, 
 
 And saints behold his face ; 
 'Tis found by those who love to pray, 
 
 Its glories I would see, 
 Then give, upon each Sabbath day, 
 
 The place of prayer to me. 
 
 HYMN XXI. 
 
 Tis sweet, in hours of childhood, 
 
 To range the flowery lawn, 
 To seek the shady wildwood, 
 
 At twilight or at dawn : 
 More precious far the blessings, 
 
 That childhood finds in prayer. 
 When the day away is passing, 
 
 And we to rest repair. 
 
204 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL SPEAKER, 
 
 When life's brief, sunny pleasures, 
 
 With years have fled away, 
 And much belov'd as treasures, 
 
 Like dreams have met decay : 
 One pleasure still attending, 
 
 Gives hope most bright and fair, 
 In life, in death, befriending — - 
 
 'Tis childhood's love of prayer. 
 
I 
 
 i 
 
1 
 
I) 
 
 ^ — — 111 I